The first 52 colleges and post-16 providers to teach new T-levels were named last week as the UK government set out its vision for a technical education system.
As courses, T-levels will be on a par with A-levels and will provide young people with a choice between technical and academic education post-16.
Courses in construction, digital, and education and childcare, will be taught from September 2020. A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover sectors such as finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing, and creative and design.
In his response to the T-Level consultation, which was also published last week, education secretary Damian Hinds committed to working with businesses and learning from international competitors to ensure these new qualifications lead to a generational shift in technical education
Hinds said: “T-levels represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to reform technical education in this country so we can rival the world’s best performing systems.
7“For too long young people have not had a genuine choice about their future aged 16. Whilst A levels provide a world class academic qualification, many technical education courses are undervalued by employers and don’t always provide students with the skills they need to secure a good job—that has to change.”
“Naming the first 52 colleges and providers where young people will be able to study the first T-levels is an important step forward, and we will continue the work with business and the education sector so everyone can benefit from these vital reforms.”
The consultation response confirmed that course content for T-levels will be created by expert panels of employers. Students will also have to undertake three-month compulsory industry placements. Standards will be assured by Ofqual and the Institute for Apprenticeships.
