Season 4 Episode 5: Levelling Up - What to Expect from the Introduction of T-Levels

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The T-level was initially mooted back in 2017 by the British government as a new, unified technical qualification which would replace the BTEC and simplify vocational education routes.

After several years of development, The Department for Education (DfE) launched the t-level in 2020 with the aim of enabling students to directly enter employment on completion of a programme in further education or Sixth Form college.

The unique aspect of the T-levels is that the courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and education providers so that 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 T-level is a 2-year course which can be taken after GCSEs and is broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels. It offers students practical and knowledge-based learning and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of approximately 45 days.

The first 16 have now been launched and all 24 T-levels will be available by 2024. Under the Engineering and Manufacturing T-level there is a choice of 3 courses:

To find out more about what this new vocational training programme would mean for the engineering industry Helen spoke with chartered engineers Lydia Amarquaye, professional development and education policy adviser for the IMechE and Andrew Livesey, consultant, further education lecturer, and author of T-Level Engineering - Technology, Manufacture and Maintenance

Lydia works with key stakeholders outside the IMechE to identify gaps in the education landscape which could help address workforce challenges and equip engineers with the right skills for a successful career. She also works with the Education and Skills strategy Board to develop the Institution’s strategic direction in education.

Andrew is an experienced company director as well as having authored several engineering textbooks. He is passionate about stem education and lectures at Ashford college in Kent. In 2018 his was part of the employer-led panel set up by the government to develop the T-levels in engineering.

In the first half of this episode Helen spoke with Lydia about how the IMechE was working with industry to ensure they understood the value of T-levels. In the second half Andrew talks to Helen about the importance of creating a flexible vocational qualification in engineering for young people and what he hoped the T-level would bring to the workplace.

Useful Links:

What are T-levels

What Students need to know about T-levels

Government info for Employers

C&G info for Employers

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this episode. If you would like to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

You can find more information about the work of the IMechE at www.imeche.org

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