Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)

What are HTQs?

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are provider-based level 4/5 qualifications that sit between A- and T-Levels at level 3 and undergraduate degrees at level 6. HTQ is a quality mark against existing qualification types, such as Foundation Degrees, Higher Nationals, Certificates and Diplomas of HE, to show they have been approved as meeting employer developed occupational standards. The HTQ quality mark signals to learners and employers that the qualification provides the skills employers need.

The HTQ Quality Mark

The HTQ quality mark is awarded to qualifications that meet the employer-developed quality criteria for a specific job role. It enables employers to pinpoint qualifications that align with their business requirements, ensuring that HTQ graduates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours for specific roles.

Additionally, it assists learners in identifying qualifications that will support their career advancement.

Health and Science HTQs are now available in these professions:

Nursing Associate
Health Play Specialist
Assistant Practitioner
Hearing Aid Dispenser
Mammography Associate
Healthcare Science Associate
Sports Coach

What are the key elements of an HTQ?
- HTQs are for learners aged 18+ including:
  - College leavers studying towards a chosen career
  - Adult learners looking to develop new skills in their current role, or retrain for a change of career
  - Employers looking to upskill their staff
- They are classroom-based and can be studied on either a full or part-time basis. Learners studying for at least one year can apply for HE student finance to cover both tuition fees and maintenance loans.
- Employers who want to upskill their workforce can contribute to tuition fees as a staff incentive.
- Full-time HTQs generally take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
- Although predominantly classroom-based, HTQs can contain a placement if mandated by the professional statutory and regulatory body for the job role. The NMC for example stipulate that a placement is a mandatory element of the Fd Nursing Associate (HTQ)
- An HTQ can also be the mandated qualification within an apprenticeship, ensuring quality.
Why are HTQs important for the health sector?
HTQs provide an alternative route into the health sector alongside apprenticeships and degrees. They align to the same occupational standards as apprenticeships, thus imparting the same knowledge, skills and behaviours as an apprenticeship but do so via an alternative route; a route that may suit certain learners.

HTQs can help the NHS to meet its Long-Term Workforce Plan (LTWP). One of the LTWP aims is to significantly increase the number of Nursing Associates from about 4,600 now to 64,000 by 2036/37. There are two main pathways to becoming a Nursing Associate: through an apprenticeship or an HTQ. Both routes are vital to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and sufficient pipeline of learners to meet this ambitious goal

There are a number of benefits that having HTQs as a more prominent route into key health professions brings, including:
- They meet key regulatory requirements: A key part of the approval process is ensuring that the HTQ is in line with any regulatory requirements – e.g. NMC.
- Different learning style preferences: Some learners may want to study an apprenticeship and be ready to learn “on the job” whereas others may be more suited to initially continue their studies in a college or university environment.
- Increasing availability of options: Some learners may not have access to an apprenticeship but are able to access a HTQ at a local FE College or University.
- Flexibility: HTQs are also a great option for mature learners, as they can be studied part-time alongside other commitments and are great therefore for people wanting to retrain or upskill.
- Increased pipeline into NHS: The entry requirements of a Nursing Associate HTQ will generally be lower than for an undergraduate degree. This presents individuals who may not achieve the entry requirements for a degree, with an alternative opportunity to enter the health sector and which in turn, adds to the NHS workforce pipeline. There may also be options for an individual with an HTQ to progress onto a full degree either immediately or later in life.
How are HTQs funded?

HTQs can be studied on a full or part-time basis and are suitable for both young people starting their career and for adults looking to upskill or retrain. Full-time HTQs generally take between 1 and 2 years to complete and HE student finance, including tuition fees and maintenance loans, is available for both full and part-time options.
What are the benefits of an HTQ from an employer’s perspective?

Enhancing your employees’ skills can boost your organisation’s productivity, leading to a more efficient and effective workforce – as well as a happier workforce. Check out the slide below to explore additional benefits that HTQs can offer your organisation.
HTQ Myth busting
HTQs can sometimes confuse employers due to a:
- Lack of Awareness: Some employers may not be familiar with HTQs or understand how they differ from other qualifications like degrees or apprenticeships.
- Recognition Issues: Employers might not recognize HTQs as being equivalent to more traditional qualifications, leading to uncertainty about the skills and knowledge of HTQ graduates.
- Varied Standards: Since HTQs are relatively new, there might be inconsistencies in how they are perceived across different industries and sectors.
These factors can make it challenging for employers to confidently assess the value of HTQs when hiring, so let us debunk some common myths about HTQs.
What are the differences between HTQs and Apprenticeships?

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and apprenticeships are both valuable pathways for gaining skills and qualifications, but they have some key differences and the choice between them depends often on individual circumstances, career goals and learning preferences.
Progression

T-Levels, Apprenticeships and HTQs all align to the same set of employer developed occupational standards, providing learners with different routes into skilled employment and offering great progression opportunities across the programmes.

HTQs are suitable for young people who have completed level 3 qualifications (A levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, and other level 3 qualifications) and are a particularly suitable progression option for T Level graduates or those that have completed an Advanced Apprenticeship, as learners can continue to develop knowledge and skills in the same technical route. HTQs are a high-quality alternative option to a traditional 3-year degree.

Find out more about the progression opportunities available across the different routes on IfATE’s occupational maps.

Health and science occupational map
Case Studies and Resources
Check out case studies and materials below from Great Ormond Street, The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as well as learners and providers that are involved with HTQs in the health sector.
- Read about HTQs on the NHS Employers’ website
- HTQs help the NHS care for children in hospitals
- HTQs for Health and Science
- Introduction To Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
- HTQs in the Healthcare sector
- This government website has been designed to help businesses find out more about different training options, and help them to decide which one is right for their business: Find training and employment schemes for your business – Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
HTQ Healthcare Practice student Tarza Hasan talks about her experience studying an HTQ at Newcastle College University Centre.

“It feels amazing to be taking my Higher Technical Qualification. I’ve always been fascinated by the healthcare sector, and it was my childhood dream to work as a nurse. I thought the HTQ was a better option for me as I was out of education for so long. This course gives me the clinical skills I need to become a healthcare practitioner and I’m also developing skills in critical writing, thinking and researching. This course gives me good knowledge if I want to become a nurse in the future, whether that’s through university or an apprenticeship.”

Check out more of our case studies here.