T Levels
T Levels are new 2-year, technical programmes designed with employers to give young people the skills that industry needs. From 2020, they will give students aged 16 to 18 a technical alternative to A levels and will help them to get a skilled job.
T Levels will become one of 3 main options when a student reaches the age of 16, alongside:
- apprenticeships for students who wish to learn a specific occupation ‘on the job’
- A levels for students who wish to continue academic education
The very first T Level subjects will be taught from September 2020 in more than 50 colleges and training providers, which means children entering year 10 in September 2018 will be the first to be able to study them.
T Levels will provide a mixture of:
- technical knowledge and practical skills specific to their chosen industry or occupation
- an industry placement of at least 45 days in their chosen industry or occupation
- relevant maths, English and digital skills
- common workplace skills
Students who achieve a T Level will get a certificate recognised nationally by employers which will set out what they have achieved as part of the programme. When they've completed a T Level, students will be able to choose between moving into:
- a skilled occupation
- higher or degree level apprenticeships
- higher level technical study, including higher education
In time, T Levels are expected to replace many of the vocational and technical education qualifications currently offered to post-16 technical education students. T Levels will be offered in the following industries:
- digital
- construction
- education and childcare
- engineering and manufacturing
- health and science
- legal, finance and accounting
- hair and beauty
- agriculture, environment and animal care
- business and administration
- catering and hospitality
- creative and design
More than 200 employers have worked closely with the DfE to design the initial outline T Level content and have run pilots with over 2,000 young people to trial T Level style work placements.
The DfE have also been in regular contact with the sector about this procurement, holding engagement events about the competition and providing advice on preparing high-quality bids. Winning bidders will develop the outline content further and produce detailed qualification specifications, exams and assessments, which will be rolled out to the schools and colleges that will provide T Levels.
Find our more about T levels at www.gov.uk
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