T LEVELS
T Levels are new vocational 2-year qualifications that started in September 2020 with the launch of three subjects: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production Design and Development; and Education and Childcare. A further seven T Level subjects will be available in September 2021 with more available in 2022 and 2023.
• T Levels follow GCSE study and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. They are designed to prepare students for work while they study.
• Approximately 80 % of the qualification is classroom based and 20 % is work based. Students gain valuable work experience and will undertake a 45-day industry placement while on the course.
• As they have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, the content of T Level courses meet the needs of industry and prepare students for skilled employment.
• As part of the course, students will achieve a technical qualification( core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area), undertake an industry placement with an employer and complete a minimum standard in English and maths, if this has not already been achieved.
Are they right for your child?
• T Levels are an excellent choice if your child is interested in gaining knowledge about an industry, taking part in work experience and learning in the classroom. They are suitable for students who are either looking to enter the workforce at 18, or who are looking to progress on to higher education.
• They are different to apprenticeships, which are 80 % job-focused and 20 % classroom-based. Apprenticeships are more suitable for students who know the occupation they want to pursue, want to earn and learn and are interested in entering the workforce at 16.
• Although equivalent, they are also very different to A Levels, as they have more of a vocational and employability focus. However, they will also allow progression on to higher education courses.
• From 2020, T Levels are being taught at selected institutions. You can find out more at www. tlevels. gov. uk / students / find
NVQs
NVQs are work-related qualifications; they are available in more than 1,000 subjects across a wide range of business sectors, including business and management, construction, manufacturing and healthcare. They can be taken at college or in a workplace. An NVQ at Level 3 is roughly equivalent to two A levels. Most people complete a Level 3 NVQ in one year.
Are they right for your child?
• NVQs are assessed by testing students’ skills in the workplace, so if your child knows what career they’ d like to go into and prefers a practical learning style, NVQs could be for them.
• Many universities do not accept NVQs in their own right for entry to degree courses; some accept them alongside A levels or other Level 3 qualifications. If your child wants to leave their options open, they should check the entry requirements of universities and courses that interest them.
• For some NVQ courses, applicants already need to be in a relevant job, so make sure your child checks course requirements carefully.
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