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A new qualification focused on the real world of work
The T-level is a new qualification open to young people, aged 16-19, once they’ve finished their GCSEs.
Offered by a growing number of schools and colleges, a T-level offers your child an ideal first step into their future career.
Designed with employers across multiple sectors, from household names to local businesses, T-levels combine classroom study with a 45-day industry placement.
Your child gets to put their skills and knowledge into practice in the real world of work, build contacts with an employer and find out more about the career opportunities open to them.
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T-levels are the business
T-levels are part of a nationwide plan to strengthen technical education and give it the credibility it deserves. Many employers have highlighted a skills gap, meaning they can’t get the technically trained people they need to fill roles.
T-levels develop these technical skills. They combine theoretical knowledge with practical application, using input from employers on the specific skills required. They are a next level qualification to help young people find jobs and establish their careers.
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All sorts of technical
Think about any business, industry or sector and you soon realise that each and every one has its own technical requirements – design, agriculture and catering just as much as engineering, construction and IT. That’s why there’s such a wide range of T-level courses to select from, with 16 courses available from September 2022 and more to follow in 2023.
Your child can choose to develop technical knowledge and skills in education and childcare, healthcare science or accounting, construction, finance or digital, legal, business administration, and many more.
After two years of study, including a 45 day industry placement, your child will know:
- How theoretical knowledge gets used and applied in the real world of work
- How to complete practical tasks to the required standard in the industry of their choosing
- The technical language used by their industry which they need to be familiar with
- The exciting range of roles they could achieve in their career
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T-levels open eyes to the opportunities
T-levels are a good option even if your child only has a rough idea of the career they’d like or field they’re interested in. The study and industry placement aren’t linked to a specific individual role. Instead they give your child a broad exposure to a sector and the many different roles it offers.
This level of understanding about the real world of work is incredible for young people aged 16-19. As well as enabling them to make more informed choices about their career pathway, your child will gain experience that employers value.
Entering employment after completing their T-level is one option for your child. Alternatively they could start an apprenticeship or higher levels studies. There are several options that can meet their developing interests and aspirations.
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Does your child need time to prepare?
T-levels give young people a great headstart in the field they’d like to work in. Many will move to studying a T-level straight after their GCSEs.
Other young people may benefit from more time to get ready to study a T-level. The Transition Programme has been created for just this purpose.
Lasting a year, the T-level Transition Programme can give your child the relevant knowledge, practical and study skills they need to excel in the T-level course of their choosing. Programmes include spending time with an employer, offering your child an excellent taster of the field they want to join.
Your local T-level provider can provide additional information on the Transition Programme they offer.
Supporting parents
This website is produced by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, an organisation that’s helping parents, carers and guardians have more informed and confident conversations with their children about the training, education and career pathways available today.
Gatsby created the Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance, which were adopted by the government for secondary schools and colleges in England.
Now Gatsby is working to strengthen the support given to parents, carers, and guardians, with resources and tools, and guidance on where to find additional information.
T-levels are one of the pathway options available to young people after completing their GCSEs. You can read about the other pathway options on our Talking Futures website.
Working with employers
As a result of Gatsby’s work, 3.3 million young people in schools and colleges now have regular opportunities to meet, talk with or hear from employers – 70% more than two years ago.
Our founder and team
Gatsby was established by philanthropist and former science minister Lord Sainsbury and has a dedicated team focused on improving education.
Working together
In collaboration with schools and colleges, the government and other education bodies, Gatsby is helping parents to help their children find the right pathway for them.