Pipeline programmes for young people aged 16-19 years
Green and pipeline programmes for young people
Where are we now?
There currently are no full-time study programmes for young people aged 16-18 years which are specifically designed to support a young person progressing into a green job in the green economy.
We have, therefore, provided data of participation on full time courses which are likely to prepare a young person to enter a deep green occupation or which are likely to be important to the future of the region’s economy as it transitions to a greener economy. We are using the phrase ‘pipeline programmes for young people’ to describe this provision.
The 16-18 dashboard shows the enrolments of 16–18-year-olds undertaking programmes in Automotive, Construction and Building Services, Engineering, ICT and Science and recognises that learners on programmes in these sector areas are the pipeline of future employees who could meet the emerging skill needs of an economy moving towards net zero. Their current 16-18 courses are likely to include content relevant to green skills and many will require further updating and specialisation as adults to address very specific green skills requirements.
The 16-18 dashboard focuses on level 2 and 3 vocational enrolments greater than 360 hours in length in green-related subject areas that are likely to be a learner’s core aim.
Key data
Automotive
After four years where numbers of 16–18-year-olds in vocational learning in automotive had declined slightly each year, in 2024/25 the volume of 16-18 learners increased by 12% to 1,311. Participation is good in all areas of the region with the highest concentration in Birmingham and Sandwell.
The upturn in young people on automotive provision was seen across all areas of the country, so despite the growth in the West Midlands, the region dropped in the national rankings from 3rd to 5th position with 613 young automotive learners per 100,000 of population.
Almost all learners study at a college and 79% of learning is at level 2. The most prevalent qualification is the Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles.
The subject does not attract proportionate interest from female learners.
6% female learners in automotive
33% of automotive learners from diverse ethnic backgrounds
Construction & Buildings Services
Construction and building services is the most popular vocational area for 16–18-year-olds living in the West Midlands. The upturn in numbers which had started in 2023/24 carried on with a further increase of 16% in numbers to 4,750.
Benchmarked against other regions, the West Midlands now ranks in the top half of the table with 2,221 people per in 100,000 people of working age studying in this area. The Northwest is the area of greatest concentration in construction and building services.
The majority of learners study at a college and 72% study at level 2. The most prevalent qualification by a strong margin is electrical installation, followed by Bricklaying, Carpentry and Surveying.
96% of construction learners are male and 24% from ethnically diverse backgrounds (a drop of 7% in the past two years).
4% female learners in construction and building services
24% from diverse ethnic backgrounds
Engineering
In 2024/25 the number of 16–18-year-olds on engineering programmes increased for the second consecutive year and stood at 2,906, just short of the previous high in 2020/21. This represents 1,359 people per 100,000 people of working age population and keeps the West Midlands mid-table in the national rankings. The top performing area nationally, by a wide margin, is the Northeast.
An increasing proportion of young people studying engineering do so at college. The majority (72%) are learning at level 3 across a range of disciplines including engineering, advanced manufacturing and maintenance and repair engineering. The number on T Level pathways continued to grow and saw a 40% increase in 2024/25.
The proportion of female learners remained at 8% and the proportion of learners from ethnically diverse backgrounds was 41%, up 4% from the previous year.
41% learners from diverse ethnic backgrounds
8% female learners in engineering
Information and Communication Technology
Participation in pipeline programmes for young people in information and communications technology (ICT) has been relatively strong and stable for the past few years and in 2024/25 there were 3,457 young people enrolled.
With 1,617 people per 100,000 of working age population enrolled to ICT programmes, the West Midlands is on par with London and only surpassed in the national tables by the Northwest.
The proportion of young people studying ICT at a college dropped from 82% in 2023/24 to 70%. Over the same period, the proportion learning at level 3 increased to 90%. Programmes are across a range of disciplines including in IT and creative technology, digital production and design, computing, systems support and cyber security. Of note is the 50% increase in T level participation from a low base in the previous two years.
The proportion of females studying ICT is not representative but at 14% is 3% more than in 2023/24. More than half of young learners (52%) are from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
90% of ICT is at level 3
52% of ICT learners are from diverse ethnic backgrounds
Science
The West Midlands has reasonably high and stable levels of participation in pipeline programmes for young people in science, lagging only behind the northwest and Yorkshire and the Humber in the national tables. Learner numbers for 16–18-year-olds in science have increased steadily over the past five years by over 18% and in 2024/25 stood at 4,922.
Almost all (94%) learning is at level 3 and is across a range of science disciplines including applied science, forensic science, human biology, and medical science, psychology and laboratory skills. Participation in science T Levels remained very modest.
Two thirds of young people on science programmes are supported in colleges. The subject is an increasingly popular choice for female learners and in 2024/25 68% of science students were female (up 2%). Some 57% of learners are from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
68% female learners in science programmes
94% of science programmes at level 3
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Case Studies
The site visit was a great insight on how land contamination is controlled around the work site and Laurence explained how it is measured and managed and what procedures are in place.