Today, leading learning company Pearson releases its latest Efficacy report, this time reviewing the impact and effectiveness of the Level 3 BTEC qualifications in Health and Social Care. The report concludes that there is strong evidence to demonstrate that these qualifications are fulfilling their stated purpose: to help students get ready for their choice of role in the vital Health and Social Care sector.

The Health and Social Care sector currently reports high volumes of hard-to-fill vacancies, as well as skills gaps among the existing workforce, with over 220,000 jobs currently available in the UK. Against this backdrop, the research examines the extent to which these qualifications are meeting their stated aims regarding learner progression and preparedness for careers.

The research found that the support and preparation offered by the qualifications gives learners confidence. In 2019, 76% of learners taking the BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care said they felt confident about their future, and 73% agreed that the qualifications would help them pursue a career in the field (BTEC Teacher and Learner Survey 2019).

Aiding progression to degree programmes that support vocational areas

And the research found that this confidence is well founded. Using nursing as a case study in the sector, the report looks at the extent to which the BTEC National supports progression to the nursing degree in this high-profile skills shortage area:

• Nearly 1 in 5 candidates accepted by nursing degree programmes in 2017 had taken the BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care, putting the qualifications on par with A levels as a route into these programmes (UCAS and HESA).

Drawing on a 2019 survey by London Economics of BTEC teachers and learners, other findings of interest include:

• The evidence also demonstrates that the qualifications not only support progression, but also offer choice. In 2019, 92% of learners taking the qualifications agreed or strongly agreed that they enable them to keep their career options open for the future.
• Learners have a positive outlook: 84% report it was their first choice of qualification.
• 64% wanted to progress to university or college to earn a degree upon completion of the BTEC, amongst the highest of BTEC subjects, making them among the most progression-focused cohort of BTEC learners.

This report is part of Pearson’s wider commitment to ‘Efficacy’, reporting on the impact of its products in a transparent way. It is the 17th such report on a Pearson product, undertaken as part of this ongoing initiative. The study was conducted by the Pearson Efficacy Research team in conjunction with independent partners. It examined the impact of the qualification, how it is being used and how effective it is at achieving its aims. Pearson's efficacy reports summarise all the relevant data and research related to the design and use of a Pearson product in relation to targeted learner outcomes.

Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President at Pearson for BTECs and Apprenticeships, said:

“Employability is at the heart of the design of our BTEC qualifications, so I am thrilled this research clearly demonstrates that they are doing what they are intended for - preparing the next generation of healthcare workers with the skills and knowledge needed to progress to a career in this vital sector.

“This year our country’s health and social care workers have been absolutely central in our response to coronavirus and we’ve seen the impact these key workers have had on the UK as a whole. Many of our BTEC students will go on to be the key workers of the future and I’m thankful and grateful in advance for the positive contribution they will make.”

Kate Edwards, Chief Learning Officer at Pearson, who oversees efficacy reporting across the organisation, said:

"Efficacy reporting is one of the ways Pearson publicly demonstrates our commitment to helping people make measurable progress in their lives through learning. It's our way of transparently sharing how we approach learning and assessment design, while continuously seeking to measure and improve the impact we are able to have on the outcomes that matter most to our customers, particularly outcomes that help learners progress to fulfilling, successful careers. Releasing the BTEC Health and Social Care efficacy report is another exciting milestone in Pearson’s efficacy reporting journey, showcasing our dedication to quality and establishing trust with our teachers and learners.”

About BTEC Level 3 Qualifications in Health and Social Care

BTEC Nationals are vocational qualifications that provide specialist, work-related learning across a range of sectors. The BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care were developed in consultation with relevant employers, universities and professional bodies and they all have employability firmly at their heart.

BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care are a suite of five related Level 3 qualifications composed of mandatory and optional units. By selecting unit combinations, learners can exercise a great deal of choice over their route into employment. This enables learners to progress directly into employment in areas like care work or community support, or use it as a stepping stone to higher education and then to employment areas like nursing and social work from the qualification.