This time last year, T Levels (high-quality, work focused alternatives to A Levels) were launched to the first cohort of students, marking a revolution in technical education.
These pioneering students are now beginning their second and final year of T Level study. This significant milestone presents a fantastic opportunity to take a breath and reflect on the first year of T Levels – a unique 12 months for the education sector.
Designed alongside employers to reflect industry needs, these two year courses equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to progress into work or higher-level study. T Levels are unique in that they include an extended industry placement to give students that crucial experience in the workplace.
NCFE was selected by Government to spearhead the development of the technical qualifications that underpin T Levels in Education and Childcare, Digital, and Health and Science. The Education and Childcare T Level was launched last September, while the other routes went live in September 2021.
It hardly needs stating that beginning to teach the first T Levels in the 2020-21 session, of all years, posed challenges for education providers. With national and regional lockdowns, setting closures, a shift towards online delivery, and many exams being cancelled, the educational landscape evolved on a daily basis.
However, despite the various hurdles, the commitment of T Level providers, students and employers was unwavering. Their hard work and dedication was fundamental to the success of T Levels last year, which should be widely celebrated.
Celebrating successful beginnings We’ve worked with colleges across the nation including the North East’s City of Sunderland College, Gateshead College, Middlesbrough College, New College Durham and St Thomas More Catholic School and we’ve been amazed at how the teaching staff have adapted and learners have succeeded against the odds. Priestley College in Warrington is one of the education providers celebrating successful beginnings following the completion of the first year of the Education and Childcare T Level. The foundations for this T Level success had been planted long before the first T Level student stepped foot in the classroom in September 2020. Ahead of starting to deliver the qualification, tutors at the college attended various training events and also delivered their own parent and student events to provide potential learners with information on these new qualifications. The college also proactively reached out to local employers to discuss T Levels and by doing so, was able to expand its network of prospective placement settings, as work placements are a key part of these qualifications.
Adapting and collaborating
As the pandemic progressed and stricter lockdown measures were introduced, many private early years settings were forced to close, and this included several nurseries that had agreed to offer industry placements to the T Level students at Priestley College. The college’s early preparations ensured it was in a strong position to quickly react to this challenge. By reaching out to its well established network of providers, the college was able to secure new placements for all of its T Level students – at schools and preschool – whose doors remained open to cater for children cared for by key workers. This ensured the students were able to gain the vital hands-on experience they need to underpin their theoretical understanding.
From students to key workers
It has never been more apparent how essential highly trained Childcare and Education practitioners are to our society, as they enabled parents to keep working through multiple lockdowns. Through their industry placements, Priestly College’s T Level students were able to work side-by-side with key workers and gain a unique insight into the impact a career in the sector can have. The feedback from providers was glowing, with many commenting on how vital the students had been in supporting them during such an incredibly challenging time.
Looking ahead
T Levels in Digital, and Health and Science are now also available for learners to study in colleges and we’re looking forward to celebrating more success in this academic year.