Higher Technical Education - Your Smarter Step to a high impact career   Most people are familiar with GCSEs, A-levels and university degrees but what is Higher Technical Education and why might it be the perfect choice for you ?   Higher Technical Qualifications (or HTQs), and other Level 4 and 5 qualifications and apprenticeships, are sector specific qualifications, developed with employers to fill vital skills gaps they've identified. The UK Government and many education experts see these highly practical, flexible study qualifications - a real alternative to taking a full degree course - as key to both helping people build successful careers and boosting the economy. For learners they create clear and practical routes into work or onto further study.   Like apprenticeships, HTQs are focused on achieving the specific skills and knowledge needed for a succesful career in a key role. They also provide you with a recognised and quality assured qualification, which you can take with you as your career progresses over time.  The Government's recent Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper highlighted the value of giving more people the opportunity to take up Level 4 and 5 qualifications; for learners at the start of their careers, people switching careers and for employers.   The 21 Institutes of Technology across England's regions - including the East Midlands Institutes of Technology - have launched the 'Smarter Steps' initiative; a coordinated campaign to raise awareness of Level 4 and 5 qualifications, and the benefits they can offer to people looking to advance their careers and to their employers.   

Some explanantion.. 

  Where can Level 4 and 5 qualifications take you?   The flexibiity of Level 4 and 5 qualifications mean that many people can study whilst working, building their skills and knowledge to further their career whilst also earning a living. Many employers fund their employees' study on these courses, as the knowledge gained benefits their company or organisation also; or you may be eligible to apply for a student loan as an individual.  Here are just a couple of examples of current or former students on East Midlands IoT courses, who've furthered their careers with a Level 4 or 5 qualification   

For a full list of East Midlands IoT's Level 4 and 5 qualifications see our Course-finder page.