InTuition Supplement Winter 2023 by Redactive Media Group

T LEVELS An inTuition supplement focusing on T Levels and the T Level Professional Development offer

In partnership with

Winter 2023 set.et-foundation.co.uk

SHAPING FUTURES How T Levels are enhancing career prospects and helping to tackle skills gaps

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T LEVELS

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 3

As we enter the fourth year of T Level delivery, we look at the significant milestones that have been achieved

Karen Beecroft MSET QTLS on how the health T Level has transformed the lives of࣢her students

INTRODUCTION

IN ACTION

READY FOR WORK

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Schools delivering T࣢Levels show how the T࣢Level Professional Development offer can support staff

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS The Industry Insights programme helps teachers refresh and update their knowledge

Ali Ahmed shows why embedding employability is crucial in teaching

TANGIBLE IMPACT The T Level Professional Development offer has been supporting providers of T Levels since 2019. What support has been delivered and how has the offer evolved?

REVIEW

LEARNING FROM T Level Learning From events facilitate vital collaboration and sharing of best practice

InTuition is published on behalf of the Society for Education and Training Redactive Publishing Ltd +44 (0)20 7880 6200 redactive.co.uk

Kiera Harper discusses how T Levels are bridging the industry skills gap, ensuring that learners are work-ready

EDITOR: Nick Martindale

DIRECTOR: Victoria Flint

LEAD DESIGNER: David Twardawa

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Sofia Elger

SUB-EDITORS: James Hundleby, Amy Beveridge PICTURE RESEARCHER: Claire Echavarry PRODUCTION: Jane Easterman jane.easterman@redactive.co.uk PRINTED BY Precision Colour Printing, Telford

In partnership with

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While every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by the Society for Education and Training, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication. ISSN: 2050-8980

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WELCOME

T LEVELS

Transforming through T Levels Three years on from the first delivery of T Levels, there are milestones to celebrate and much to look forward to, says Dr Vikki Smith FSET elcome to this inTuition supplement, focused on T Levels and the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer. TLPD is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) to support all staff at providers delivering T Levels. This is our second inTuition supplement focused on T Levels, and in the following pages we’re pleased to share experiences of T Level delivery from across the sector – including employer, practitioner and government perspectives – and highlight the ongoing support available via the TLPD offer. Having entered the fourth year of T Level delivery, many significant milestones have been achieved since the introduction of this new qualification. Two successful results days have passed, with T Level learners receiving their grades and choosing their next steps. T Level ‘graduates’ across the country are now progressing through the next stages of their career journeys – whether that’s into employment, university or higher apprenticeships. T Levels’ promise to nurture fresh talent and fill skills gaps is beginning to come to fruition – and the number of individuals finishing their course and pursuing a rich range of skilled pathways continues to grow year on year. The government’s intention to introduce an Advanced British Standard qualification over the

T LEVELS’ PROMISE TO NURTURE FRESH TALENT AND FILL SKILLS GAPS IS BEGINNING TO COME TO FRUITION

next decade will build on this success, with T Levels and A Levels planned to form the backbone of a new combined education system (see page 15). T Levels are truly transformational, providing learners with new avenues towards chosen careers. Yet those stories of transformation would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and commitment of staff across the country who are involved in the planning and delivery of T Level courses. It is fantastic to see these efforts translating into success stories, and it has been encouraging to see providers collaborating to work through challenges and provide mutual support for one another on their T Level journeys. This spirit of collaboration has been particularly evident on occasions such as ETF’s T Level Learning From events, when hundreds of practitioners involved in T Level delivery came together to share their learning and best practice (read more on pages 8 and 9). Continued collaboration will help to ensure all T Level learners enjoy the best possible experience on their course, and secure promising and exciting pathways for their future. DR VIKKI SMITH FSET is

executive director of education and standards at the Education and Training࣢Foundation

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T LEVELS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Time for

school

As more schools begin to offer T Levels, we look at how the T Level Professional Development programme can support school staff, and ask schools that are already delivering T Levels for their advice

he majority of T Level providers to date have been further education colleges, delivering T Levels alongside other technical and vocational qualifications. However, some schools in England also formed part of the first wave of T Level delivery, and have been flying the flag for the new qualification since it was first introduced in 2020. With the fourth cohort of T Level students having started their studies this autumn, the number of schools delivering T Levels is now growing rapidly, with many due to begin offering one or more T Levels to their students from September 2024. If you are working in a school delivering, or planning to deliver, T Levels, the T Level Professional Development offer is here to support you from the very beginning of your journey. Take a look at our six steps to making the most of the offer.

‘‘IF YOU ARE WORKING IN A SCHOOL DELIVERING T LEVELS, THE T LEVEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFER IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU”

Training needs࣢analysis

We offer two types of training needs analysis. The organisational training needs analysis (OTNA) helps leaders understand organisation-wide continuing professional development (CPD) needs. The individual training needs analysis (ITNA) helps you develop your own training plan to suit your role and subject area.

Understanding T Levels courses

T Level Role and Route training

These courses, including those aimed at schools, provide an introduction to T Levels, tailored to different roles and responsibilities in planning and delivery. They include practical learning activities and ﬂexible support.

Role and Route courses – available live online, face to face, and on-demand via FutureLearn – provide pedagogical and subject-speciﬁc continuing professional development.

Professional development for leaders

If you hold a leadership role, these courses help you to shape the direction of your organisation to support the successful roll-out of T Levels. Courses are available for different leadership roles, including courses

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

T LEVELS

T LE VELS IN ACTION

ACLAND BURGHLEY SCHOOL OLIVER ROSEN, head of computing, media and social science faculty at Acland Burghley School in north London, shares his experience of the journey to T Level delivery

Which T Levels is Acland Burghley delivering?

OR: We are planning to deliver the T Level in media broadcast and production in September 2024. The LaSWAP Sixth Form Consortium, which Acland Burghley is part of, will also deliver the education and early years and business and administration T Levels from 2024.

for middle leaders and managers and the T Level leadership mentoring programme.

Networks and collaboration

We have a variety of networks, including school networks and strategic leads networks, to support you, with both ‘in delivery’ and ‘pre-delivery’ options available. Regular networking events provide you with an opportunity to collaborate with others to develop, exchange and explore approaches to T Level design and delivery.

Industry Insights

Industry Insights enable you to gain ﬁrst-hand industry experience. This includes staff placements, mentoring and industry-led workshops to ensure your industry knowledge is up to date.

For more information, visit etfoundation.co.uk/tlpd-for-schools

How did you feel about delivering T Levels when you first made the decision?

OR: When the decision was ﬁrst made, it was a real rollercoaster of emotions. I felt both overwhelmed and excited. Overall, it’s a fantastic opportunity for growth, which only comes from feeling a little out of your depth. My conﬁdence grew as I participated in the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer. It felt a little like learning a language – when I started TLPD I

knew nothing about T Levels, and very quickly I became conﬁdent talking about T Levels! The organisational training needs analysis (OTNA) was an ace starting point as we started engaging with TLPD. It’s important to remember it’s okay to be at stage one or two; it’s part of the journey. The OTNA allows you to reﬂect on where you currently are and guides you on how to move forward. It helped ease the feeling of being overwhelmed at what needs to be done.

Which parts of the TLPD offer have you found the most useful?

OR: The whole TLPD offer has been great. The Role and Route courses are valuable, as they cover the speciﬁc T Level you’re teaching in detail, attending Industry Insights sessions has been refreshing, and I also enjoyed starting a network. The support given by the area relationship development leads (ARDL) is fantastic too. With something new like T Levels, there are always going to be moments of doubt, but meeting with our ARDL provides me with motivation and conﬁdence – it’s invaluable.

How did you approach building relationships with industry and employers to support your delivery of T࣢Levels?

OR: My biggest piece of advice is to make it as easy as possible for employers to engage. You need to sell T Levels to them, highlighting their importance in bridging the skills gap. You won’t get every company immediately offering you industry placements. Instead,

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T LEVELS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

I’ve found it’s helpful to offer companies a range of different ways they can engage with you at first, from just providing their logo to give that aspiration to students, to coming in to do a taster session. The easier you make it for them to participate, the better your relationship will be and, ultimately, the easier it will be to find placements for your students. To keep our teaching staff up to date with their industry knowledge, the Industry Insights workshops from the TLPD offer have been very useful. Building CPD into our routines is difficult, so the three-hour sessions are really impactful. By finding these industry professionals to impart their knowledge, the Education and Training Foundation did a lot of the hard work for us!

What advice would you give to other schools starting on࣢this journey?

OR: Building in your planning time is crucial. Try to be realistic about what your department can produce in a given timeframe and think about how long you will need for course planning and resourcing. Getting parents onside has also been an important step for us – getting them to understand the vision. Don’t be afraid to draw on that community, and other parts of the school like your governors, when you’re seeking to build relationships with industry and get placements for students: they are important stakeholders.

T LE VELS IN ACTION

LA RETRAITE ROMAN CATHOLIC GIRLS’ SCHOOL RUTH COYLE, director of admissions, career and technical education at La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School, shares her experience of being one of the first schools to offer T Levels

Which T Levels does La࣢Retraite offer?

RC: We offer T Levels in digital business, construction, education and early years, health (speciﬁcally midwifery) and legal services. We’ve been delivering T Levels since their introduction in 2020 as one of just 50 centres chosen to pioneer the qualiﬁcations.

employers to support your delivery of T Levels, including finding industry placements for࣢students?

RC: The key is reaching out to as many people as you can about engaging with your centre. Talk to the employers you currently work with, talk to the staff you have and see if they know people working in business, talk to your governors. Your contacts don’t necessarily have to take a student for industry placement – they might just want to come in and give a talk or set up some kind of virtual activity for the students. But often it’s through those activities that the employer’s conﬁdence grows. They see the students’ skills and potential and become more likely to offer placements.

“THE KEY IS REACHING OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN ABOUT ENGAGING WITH YOUR CENTRE”

How did you feel about delivering T Levels when they were first introduced?

How did you approach building relationships with industry and

RC: Introducing T Levels is a challenge, as it’s a new thing. You need to think about what this is doing for learners. For us, the key aim for our learners is to achieve social mobility and give them access to opportunities such as going into large corporates and getting experience. So, from the start, we were thinking about how we would engage them and what they would excel at, so we could bring that out of them.

What advice would you give to other schools starting on this journey?

RC: There are the obvious things like staffing, curriculum and working with employers, but actually the marketing is really important. We start talking to our students in Year 7 about T Levels, and we especially engage our Year 10s. Even when we go out to primary schools and talk to Year 6, we’re sharing what our T Level students have achieved. Getting parents and employers involved is very helpful as well. We’re lucky to have had parents help us do promotional videos about our T Levels, which helps highlight that conﬁdence in the qualiﬁcations.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

T LEVELS

Get up to speed The Industry Insights programme, part of the TLPD offer, provides opportunities for those delivering T Levels to upskill their industry knowledge and practice. We hear the industry perspective CHRIS HARRISON is education advisor at CREATE Education, which supports educators in using and embedding 3D printing and technologies in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) lessons. He outlines how the Industry Insights programme can help teachers stay up to date with what’s happening in wider sectors.

Why is it important to share industry experience and knowledge with teachers?

CH: Sharing our knowledge means we can keep educators up to date on what skills are in demand in industry. At CREATE, we have direct access to industry knowledge via our 3D printing sister company, 3DGBIRE. We talk to educators about what skills the industry is looking for in areas such as engineering, computer-aided design and other STEAM subjects. Educators can help ﬁll those gaps, and we help by lowering the training burden on businesses.

machines that we have will print things that people wouldn’t have dreamt they could 12 months ago. We’re printing silicones out on desktop machines now, for example. Even machines from 2017 or 2018 can now print advanced materials – not just plastics, but composites and stainless steel. So we’re able to work with staff to upskill them on using their existing machinery.

What opportunities have you offered through Industry Insights?

CH: In a typical session, we’ll hear from people in industry about exciting projects they’ve worked on – we’ve had speakers from big industry players like Heineken, Heinz and Ford. A key part of the day is the hands-on demonstration where participants can use our industrystandard equipment themselves. Many of the teachers who attend these sessions are delivering engineering and manufacturing T Levels, but we also

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE AND CAPABILITIES EVOLVE QUICKLY IN OUR AREA OF WORK see those who are involved with the digital and construction T Levels. So many disciplines, including the arts, are starting to embrace digital learning, virtual environments and different forms of manufacturing – so we have a broad audience.

Can teachers who have recently left industry still benefit from an Industry Insights programme?

CH: Absolutely! Knowledge, expertise and capabilities evolve quickly in our area of work. Some of the newer

How does your background as a teacher inform your approach to Industry Insights?

How can employers and teachers work together to mutually benefit one another?

CH: I have an understanding of the pressures around teaching. I know that once you have your way of delivering things, it can be quite hard to break from that. New technologies and industry knowledge mean those changes must happen, and that can be difficult. We understand the need for resources and projects to demonstrate new machinery so that students can get the most out of what they have access to in the classroom.

CH: We know we need to mould the information we share around the qualifications being taught. We’re now going through all the new T Level specifications to make sure we fully understand them, so we can see how our industry knowledge is relevant and where it fits in. It’s a great opportunity to help inform the curriculum from an industry perspective.

For more information on Industry Insights, visit etfoundation.co.uk/TLPD or contact industryinsights@etfoundation.co.uk

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T LEVELS

LEARNING FROM

Learning

together ETF hosted its first in-person T Level Learning From events earlier this year as part of the T Level Professional Development offer. Here, we reflect on how the events facilitated vital collaboration and sharing of best practice across the sector n April and June 2023, the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) hosted its ﬁrst ever in-person T Level Learning From events in Leeds and London. Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer, these events brought together nearly 500 T Level practitioners, enabling vital networking and the sharing of best practice.

The Leeds event on 28 April was held at Elland Road stadium, home of Leeds United Football Club, and the London event on 28 June was held at the University of London’s Senate House. With previous events having been delivered online, the in-person events presented opportunities for deeper collaboration and connection, enabling delegates to ﬁnd a shared sense of purpose in delivering T Levels. Both events featured addresses from ETF colleagues, an informative

DELEGATE AND PRESENTER REFLECTIONS “Being a Wave 1 provider back in 2020, we had nobody who had those experiences to learn from about T Levels. This event is a great opportunity for us to be here and share our journey, in the hope that we can support other centres and providers” Tracey Herridge, T Level early years teacher, Scarborough Sixth Form College

“I would definitely encourage others to come to future events because it’s

a real opportunity to collaborate with others and share your experiences – and also get reinforcement that we are all in this together” Gillian McDermott, business lecturer, Broadstairs College (East Kent College Group)

“I think this is a great opportunity to network – we don’t really get many opportunities as we’re all in these little bubbles at colleges – so it’s a really good time to meet other people

keynote from Ofsted, and a special guest speaker. In Leeds, Matthew Burton, from TV series Educating Yorkshire, now headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy, emphasised the importance of nurturing each student’s potential in his guest address. In London, Nina Jackson, associate of Independent Thinking Ltd, delivered her motivational address on themes of mental health, resilience and wellbeing.

who are doing the same things in the same position as you, and to branch out and get to know a bit more about other people” Hannah Shennan, early years lecturer, Eastleigh College

“Today’s event is crucial for T Level delivery. With a learning event, it’s about networking and looking for new ideas and creating new ideas. It’s always interesting to meet other providers and share good practice” Stewart Quayle, head of construction, Barnsley College

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LEARNING FROM

T LEVELS

REFLECTIONS AFTER THE EVENT

A SENSE OF COMMUNITY “I’ve been in education a long time, and this is the first time I’ve seen something so nationally coordinated. Colleges, schools and sixth-form centres are all working together and sharing to support the delivery of T Levels. It’s the first time I’ve seen people so open about what they’re doing, sharing curriculum designs or schemes of learning, and how they’ve decided to organise their placements. The T Level Learning From events provided those opportunities to network and share learnings and experiences. And that collaboration is so productive – it demonstrates a joint desire to work towards something positive”

ROZ HICKS, head of media, business and digital industries at City College Norwich (collaborated on design of ‘Progression from T Levels’ breakout and delivery of ‘Sector success stories’ breakout)

At each event, breakout sessions offered an opportunity for in-depth focus on different topics related to T Level delivery, including support for engaging with employers; preparing learners for their employer-set project; embedding English, maths and digital in T Levels; and supporting progression of learners after T Levels. Led by employers, T Level practitioners and awarding organisations, these sessions facilitated the sharing of practical tips and advice and provided a space for delegates to share their own experiences and formulate solutions to shared challenges. As each event came to a close, attendees were left with a sense

“Because we’re early adopters, I think sometimes we forget to look back at the journey we’ve been on, and it’s important for us to take time to reflect. Sharing those experiences at events puts that fresh in our minds again and is really positive. And࣢even where there have been challenges in delivery, an event like T Level Learning From gives us an opportunity to hear similar challenges that others are࣢facing࣢and to collaborate to find solutions”

LUCY WHITWOOD, director of technical education and apprenticeships at City College Norwich (collaborated on design and delivery of ‘Progression from T Levels’ breakout)

THE IN-PERSON EVENTS PRESENTED OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEEPER COLLABORATION AND CONNECTION of optimism and community. The events embodied the commitment to collaboration and collective learning shared by providers across the country, with practitioners repeatedly expressing the immense value they gained from sharing challenges, success stories, advice and encouragement. ETF’s T Level Learning From events will return in 2024 to provide further opportunities for shared learning: on Thursday 9 May (London) and Wednesday 26 June (Leeds). Scan the QR code to book your tickets now and look out for further announcements from ETF for details about these events.

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T LEVELS

IN ACTION

KAREN BEECROFT MSET QTLS is T Level health programme lead at New College Swindon, which offers three of the health T Level pathways: midwifery, adult nursing and mental health

How did you feel when you started teaching the health T Level?

I was really excited, particularly because of the practical elements involved. I worked in maternity for nearly 20 years. Often people think they want to be a nurse and think they understand what it involves, but the reality is different. The practical side of T Levels means students get to see what it’s like. They can then decide whether that’s the route they want to take. If, for example, they decide after following the T Level midwifery pathway that they don’t want to do midwifery at university, the T Level has opened countless other doors for them in healthcare.

What challenges did you face when introducing T Levels?

Initially, it was a challenge getting some of our team to recognise the benefits of the qualification. We had one member of staff who is an amazing teacher, but felt she wouldn’t be able to teach T Levels. When we got her involved and explained the qualification to her, she became a complete T Level convert – and now it’s the only thing she wants to teach. It was partly about confidence, and helping staff see the transferable skills they could pass on to students.

What support and resources did you find useful in planning and delivering T Levels?

From the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer, we’ve all done the training needs analysis. I always advise anybody joining the team to do that and see what TLPD courses and training are recommended to them. We’ve also beneﬁted from the Industry Insights days and updating our experience in real-world settings to bring back into our teaching.

Opening doors T Levels provide invaluable opportunities for learners and open doors to exciting careers. Karen࣢Beecroft MSET QTLS shares her experience of teaching the health T Level, and how she has seen it transform the lives of students Crucially, we’re lucky to have great relationships with a lot of local employers. We managed to get midwifery placements for all our midwifery students after building up the relationship with the maternity team at our local hospital. Having open days where employers can come in and see our students demonstrating the skills they’re learning has been really beneﬁcial. It gives employers the conﬁdence that the students have learned core skills – such as conducting observations – that are crucial in a healthcare setting. That means they don’t have to spend a long time teaching these skills when the students are on placement, and the students can get involved from day one.

How have T Levels opened doors for your students?

Our ﬁrst cohort of health T Level students got their results this summer, and we were thrilled to get a 100 per cent

pass rate. The students have gone on to train to become midwives, paramedics, paediatric nurses, psychologists and more. We had one student from that cohort who, at the beginning of the course, was struggling with her mental health and at risk of having to withdraw from college. We worked closely with her and gradually built up her confidence to come back to the classroom. When we first showed our students our manikin that gives birth, we were astounded when this student was the first to volunteer to work with it as she was usually so quiet. It was amazing to see her confidence growing. When she got a midwifery placement in our local hospital, she thrived – and she ended up getting offered a job! The hospital is currently working to set up a degree apprenticeship in midwifery, and once they’ve got it running, they’re keen to support her to progress onto that course. It’s a fantastic story!

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READY FOR WORK

T LEVELS

Embedding employability T Levels help students prepare for the next step in their careers. Ali Ahmed outlines how he ensures this is front and centre throughout the teaching process Levels present learners with innovative routes to promising careers, and provide new talent for industries grappling with skills shortages. This career-oriented focus of T Levels has formed the cornerstone of my pedagogical approach throughout my role as course leader. Drawing from my prior experiences as an architect and project manager in the construction sector – both within the UK and in collaboration with projects in China and Germany – I saw how T Levels could alleviate skills and knowledge deﬁciencies within the construction industry. This comprehensive course equips students for an array of esteemed roles within professional construction, including positions such as architects, surveyors and construction managers. Encompassing practical, theoretical and design-oriented methodologies, my integrated approach to the course prepares learners for their next steps.

the opportunity to pursue a degree apprenticeship in architectural technology at UCLan. That our learners can pursue such impressive pathways after college is testament to the stimulating learning atmosphere that we have crafted within our bespoke architecture suite at Preston College, mirroring the ethos of a university and architectural studio environment.

IL L U S T R AT ION S : S HU T T E R S T O C K

Honing employability skills In contrast to alternative qualiﬁcations, T Levels place a heightened emphasis on enhancing employability. Industry placements grant learners a valuable entry point into the workplace, enabling them to adopt behaviours integral to the professional environment. My objective is to integrate employability skills throughout the two-year curriculum. We dedicate one tutorial hour each week to bolstering employability skills. In these sessions, we delve into various facets of the job application process. We also facilitate mock interviews, wherein our second-

Supporting next steps year T Level students interview their first-year counterparts. This peer-topeer approach not only alleviates anxiety but also empowers second-year students to leverage their recent interactions with employers when asking questions. Allocating this time to refine these essential skills ensures that our learners are not only well prepared for their industry placements, but also emerge as confident and professional individuals ready to embark on the next phase of their education and career journey. T Levels are designed to be highly responsive to employers’ skills demands, both at a local and national level. Thus, local partnerships are crucial. Our local landscape is rich with numerous employers and industry sites, such as Eric Wright Group Ltd, GMC North West Ltd Construction and the notable £400,000 Harris Museum refurbishment and restoration project, where Conlon Construction Ltd is the primary contractor. We also have a close affiliation with the nearby University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Conlon Construction has offered one of our second-year students

We’ve had many more achievements to celebrate from last year’s construction cohort. One of our learners secured the highest grade in the UK for the 2023 Employer-Set Project assessments – an outstanding achievement. We also celebrated students pursuing further study, with one embarking on an architecture course at UCLan, and two others gaining admission to Nottingham University for architecture studies. Two learners opted to continue studying at Preston College. They are pursuing a Level 4 HNC qualiﬁcation in construction management, both funded by their industry placement employers while working for them part-time. The beauty of T Levels is that you can take so many different pathways afterwards – and the construction T Level has presented our learners with a range of fantastic opportunities as they plan their next steps and future careers.

ALI AHMED is course

leader for the design, surveying and planning T Level at Preston College and an expert examiner for Pearson

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T LEVELS

TANGIBLE IMPACT

Supporting the

sector

The T Level Professional Development offer has h been supporting providers of T Levels since 2019. 0 019. We look back at what support has been delivered e ered and how the offer has evolved over time

2020

For more information about TLPD, visit etfoundation.co.uk/TLPD

TIMELINE

Following a pilot phase in 2019, ETF was awarded a four-year contract to continue providing essential CPD for T Level staff and providers. The TLPD programme offered a wealth of support, including courses and resources to support the understanding of T Levels, subject-specific training related to individual T Level routes and professional development for different leadership roles involved in T࣢Level࣢delivery. From March, the Covid-19 pandemic caused major disruption for all education providers. While face-to-face elements of the TLPD offer were postponed, ETF continued to support the sector with live-online and on-demand courses.

2021

Face-to-face delivery of TLPD became possible. Vital opportunities for teaching staff to attend industry sites in-person for the Industry Insights part of the TLPD offer could be facilitated as restrictions eased.

2022

In response to sector demand, a course was introduced to support practitioners to embed English, maths and digital skills into their delivery of T Levels. The course was first made available on-demand via FutureLearn in February 2022, and was followed by the delivery of face-to-face and live-online sessions from May 2022 to aid practitioners in embedding these essential skills.

2023

The first in-person T Level Learning From events were held in April and June 2023 (see more on pages 8-9). These events brought together hundreds of individuals involved in T Level delivery to share their experience and best practice. The Assessment in T Levels course was added to the TLPD offer in 2023, in response to demand for additional support for this element of T Levels. Assessment in T Levels was first delivered as an on-demand FutureLearn course, and subsequently offered in the form of live-online and face-to-face sessions as well.

IM A GE : I S T O C K

he T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer, funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), has been supporting providers, leaders and practitioners in their planning and delivery of T Levels since 2019. In January 2020, ETF was awarded a four-year contract to continue providing this essential continuing professional development (CPD) to the further education and skills sector. Since 2019, the offer has evolved to meet sector demands and grown in its reach as more providers have embarked on T Level delivery. By the end of the academic year 2023, ETF had supported 43,723 activities in total as part of the TLPD offer, with participation ﬁgures between May 2019 and July 2023 showing that 22,126 individuals had participated in the programme. Of those who accessed the TLPD offer in the academic year 2022/23, 94 per cent of survey respondents said the offer would have a positive impact on their professional practice. Keep on reading for an overview of the TLPD offer and how it has evolved over time.

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TANGIBLE IMPACT

T LEVELS

IN NUMBERS

43,723 activities have been supported as part of the TLPD offer to date In the 2022/23 academic year

6,951 teaching and support staff engagements with TLPD activities took place. Of these:

WHAT YOU SAID “We had the opportunity to meet with cross-college colleagues and really unpick our needs as a college. It was a really valuable experience to have some dedicated time on this subject in preparation for our future delivery” Participant in the Leaders and governors providing T Levels course

“II thought that the presenters shared their obvious knowledge and expertise in a very accessible way and sounded so passionate and empathetic” Participant in Industry Insights workshop

“The knowledge and delivery of the facilitators was excellent, very friendly and informed”

“This course gave me the best understanding yet of what’s going on! And the ability to absorb content and discuss with facilitators and others ‘live’ and in the moment is invaluable – it definitely increased my confidence level”

Participant in the Teaching T Levels: Enhancing pedagogy course

Participant in the T Levels: What are they and who are they for? course

4,607 2,344 were face-to-face or liveonline CPD activities

were on-demand online learning CPD activities

94%

In the 2022/23 academic year, 94 per cent of survey respondents said the TLPD offer would have a positive impact on their professional practice

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OPERATIONAL MIDDLE LEADERS AND MANAGERS WORKSHOPS Access support for managing curriculum change and leading on planning and implementation of T Levels.

TLPD Participant, Exeter College

“The trainer was excellent in facilitating the different levels of T Level knowledge within the staff and ensuring that all the teams beneﬁted from the learning experience.” Participant in the Operational Middle Leaders and Managers workshop, February 2023

FUNDED BY

Scan the QR code to book your place

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REVIEW

T LEVELS

Bridging the skills gap Revisiting the core aims behind T Levels, Kiera Harper discusses how these qualifications are bridging the skills gap, ensuring learners are work-ready n a rapidly evolving global economy, the importance of a skilled and adaptable workforce cannot be overstated. In England, the introduction of T Levels represents a significant step towards aligning education with the needs of industry and addressing the skills gap. By September 2023, there were 18 high-quality T Levels available offered at more than 200 providers across the country, with more courses coming on board over the next few years. Broadly equivalent to three A Levels, these two-year courses offer a mix of classroom learning and industry placements, designed to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in specific industries. One of the strengths of T Levels is their focus on practical, real-world experience. T Levels are designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. By spending a significant portion of their course in a workplace setting, students gain valuable insights and hands-on experience, making them job-ready at the end of their course. This practical approach is a gamechanger for students seeking a direct route into the workforce. Furthermore, T Levels have the potential to address the UK’s persistent skills gap. T Levels can be tailored to meet the specific needs of industry, providing a pipeline of highly trained individuals who can step into these roles and drive economic growth.

Government support For T Levels to succeed and fulﬁl their full potential while ensuring the best possible outcomes for both students and employers, we are continuing to offer a range of support. This includes funding to help more businesses offer industry

placements and additional funding for facilities through the T Level capital fund, with over £100 million for over 100 projects in the latest wave of funding. We are also funding the T Level Professional Development offer, delivered by the Education and Training Foundation since 2019, to ensure providers and staff have the support they need to teach T Levels. This investment allows T Level providers to have the resources necessary to deliver highquality education and training with

ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF T LEVELS IS THEIR FOCUS ON PRACTICAL, REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE state-of-the-art facilities, up-to-date equipment and well qualiﬁed teachers and instructors. We are also aligning education with industry needs, making certain that students receive training that remains relevant over time. Industry placements give businesses the opportunity to nurture talent from the ground up, shaping individuals who not only possess the right skills that are in demand in the job market but also align with their company’s values and culture. By establishing strong ties between schools, colleges and employers, we are laying the foundation for a skilled and versatile workforce ready to tackle the problems of tomorrow.

Future focus We want to broaden access to career paths like law, health and childcare, while ensuring that talented young people entering these professions have hands-on experience and a real understanding of the sector. Right now, T Levels co-exist with A-levels and other academic qualifications. Over the next decade, the government intends to go even further – bringing the two qualification streams together into a single qualification called the Advanced British Standard (ABS). The ABS will remove the artificial choice between academic and technical education, placing them on an equal footing, presenting a clear offer to young people while ensuring that every student studies some form of maths and English until they leave secondary education. The ambition the ABS sets is to cement the best of the T Levels – including core knowledge, occupational skills and an industry placement – into the fabric of the qualifications landscape for the long term. Here and now, T Levels continue to be a real game-changer in bridging the skills gap and providing students with valuable practical skills. They are a great way for students to take a step towards a successful career, equipping them with the skills, confidence and adaptability needed to thrive in the workplace. This, in turn, will contribute to a stronger and more competitive workforce, ensuring a brighter future for the country’s economy.

KIERA HARPER is director, technical qualifications and essential skills, at the Department for Education

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“The day was extremely informative and the people delivering it were knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable with any questions I asked.” Participant in the Understanding T Levels for Schools course, June 2022

UNDERSTANDING T LEVELS FOR FRONTLINE STAFF IN SCHOOLS Understand the basics of T Levels to help plan and structure your delivery. FUNDED BY

Scan the QR code to book your place

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