EDUCATION
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP met learners at Sunderland College .
ANOTHER LEVEL
Employers join shadow education secretary to shine a light on T levels
T levels were heralded as a revolutionary new technical education standard that could help plug the skills gap by providing businesses with a pipeline of work-ready starters . A year on , Rob Lawson looks into how they have been received …
Launched in 2020 , the aim of T Levels is for technical education to be as highly regarded and admired as academic qualifications .
The initial pilot focussed on three subject areas : design , surveying and planning for construction ; digital production , design and development ; and education and childcare . The two-year courses are taken after GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels . The concept was developed in collaboration with employers and education providers to ensure the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for entry into skilled employment , an apprenticeship or related technical study through further or higher education .
The core aim of the qualifications is to offer students practical and knowledgebased learning , at a school or college , as well as on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days .
One company that has utilised T levels is Apexon – a global tech firm that helps firms grow through digital transformation . With offices in North America , Europe , Asia and the Middle East , the company is always on the look-out for fresh talent and at its UK office in Sunderland it is using T levels to help grow its team .
Allison Cummins , head of people and capability at Apexon UK , said : “ T levels offer a high-quality , vocational alternative to A levels and they help ensure young people are work-ready when they finish their qualifications .
“ This greater focus on technical skills and the experience they offer of working in a professional environment is one of the reasons we were so keen to support this initiative in our business .
“ It also means that we can open our doors to talented young people and give them valuable experience along the way , while knowing that they are also receiving top class education at the same time .
“ With recruitment a real challenge across all sectors , we believe this is a really good way of securing a pipeline of future talent , while also introducing local young people to exciting careers .”
Apexon partnered with Sunderland College – part of Education Partnership North East – to provide placement opportunities to its students studying T level courses .
Allison was recently part of a group of employer guests invited by Sunderland College to meet with Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP to discuss how hosting T Levels has benefitted their respective organisations .
During the visit they were provided a tour of the college ’ s Innovation Space , which includes their 360 Immersive Space – delivered with support from the Government ’ s T Level Capital Fund – where they were given a demonstration of how T Level students are actively benefiting from using digital and immersive technology in their studies .
Ms Phillipson said : “ Sunderland College is doing extraordinary work in a context which is more challenging than ever .
“ It was great to see how T Levels are giving young people in our city new opportunities and preparing them for their future careers .”
T-levels provide the opportunity for young people to take-up substantial programmes of occupationally focused learning from age 16 . With close to 95 per cent of the school cohort moving into full-time learning at 16 , many will be ready for Level 3 qualifications and even if they have not achieved the required grades in English and maths , they can repeat these qualifications alongside their T levels .
For 17-year-olds who have already completed a one-year course , progression to the two year T Level would still be funded and provide a good option .
Sunderland College offers T levels in areas ranging from engineering to health and education to science .