Further Education providers invited to deliver new T Levels

T Levels will be the technical equivalent of A Levels combining classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement. The first three T Level courses in Digital Production, Design and Development; Design, Surveying and Planning; and Education will be taught in over 50 further education and post-16 providers from September 2020.

In December 2018, the Government announced the next 7 T Levels to be taught from 2021 as: Health; Healthcare Science; Science; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering; Digital Support and Services; and Digital Business Services. Today it is inviting providers to apply to deliver these new courses.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minster, Anne Milton said:

This is a truly exciting time. I’m absolutely thrilled at the progress we have made to deliver new T Levels. These transformational reforms have been designed in partnership with industry experts so employers can access the skilled workforce they need, and so more young people gain the skills they need to get a great job, go on to do a higher level apprenticeship or further study.

I would absolutely urge further education providers that meet the criteria to consider applying to be the first to teach the next wave of T Levels from 2021. It is a fantastic opportunity to be part of education history and help change lives for the better.

Deputy Chief Executive of The Association of Colleges, Julian Gravatt said:

We are delighted to see the publication of the Expression of Interest for 2021 T Level providers. The commitment that both good and outstanding providers will be eligible to deliver the first 10 T Levels from 2021 will ensure that many more young people from across England will have access to these new, innovative study programmes.

Principal at The College of Richard Collyer, Sally Bromley said:

Collyer’s was successful in a bid to be one of the first providers of the T Level in the country. The courses will be available from September 2020 and there has already been lots of interest from prospective students. Employers have been involved in the course design because there is a significant work place element and I think this is what is attractive to students.

The Government has also set out that UCAS points will be awarded for T Levels in line with three A Levels – so young people, parents and employers know they are as stretching as their academic equivalents and will act as a stepping stone to progress to the next level whether that is a degree, higher level technical training or an apprenticeship.

T Levels will be backed by an additional half a billion pounds of investment every year when the new qualifications are fully rolled out. The Government also has announced an extra £38 million to support the first T Level providers to invest in high quality equipment and facilities. As well as this, the Government is investing £20 million to support the further education sector to prepare for new T Levels. This includes the £5 million Taking Teaching Further programme, which aims to attract more industry professionals to work in the sector, and the £8 million T Level Professional Development offer to help teachers and staff prepare for the roll-out of the new qualifications. The introduction of new T Levels are just one part of the Government’s wider ambition to transform technical education and create a highly trained and competitive workforce that is a match for the best in the world. The Government has also worked with employers to overhaul the apprenticeship system so that it delivers higher quality, more flexible apprenticeships that cover a wider range of sectors and professions Expressions of Interest are being invited until midnight on Thursday 28th February. Successful providers are expected to be announced in June 2019. For more information on the criteria, visit here.