The Department of Education yesterday unveiled its first wave of so-called ‘T’ levels – with ‘digital’ one of the first three that students can sit in two years time.
Construction, digital and education & childcare T levels are to be available for students from September 2020, with a further 22 set to be rolled out in stages from 2021, covering things like finance & accounting, engineering & manufacturing, and creative & design.
The claim is that the new technical courses functionally equivalent to A levels and so will provide young people “with a choice between technical and academic education post 16”.
The courses content was created by expert panels of employers so as to ensure young people have appropriate sector knowledge and skills needed, while a three month industry placement is also included to give young people “the experience and wider skills they need to be ready for the world of work”, says the Department.
“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,” stated Education Secretary Damian Hinds.
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“Technology and the world economy are fast-changing, and we need to make sure our young people have the skills they need to get the jobs of tomorrow,” he added.
Hinds also says that aim is also at “the heart” of the government’s Industrial Strategy – an ambition bolstered by the introduction of more high-quality apprenticeships and a network of new Institutes of Technology (IoTs) across the country.
IoTs, says the Ministry, will offer top-quality training and apprenticeships in higher-level technical skills at A level equivalent up to degree level and above, so helping to bridge “a vital skills gap in our economy” in areas like advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and digital.
Go here to find out more about T levels.