Career focused learning

Every T-level is taught through a mix of classroom and workplace-based learning. Students spend 80% of their time at school or college and 20% of their time developing the skills needed for the workplace on a 45-day industry placement.

The industry placement is designed to help your child:

• find out more about the career opportunities open to them
• build essential skills, such as teamwork and communication, for their
  future employment
• put their skills and knowledge into practice in the real world of work, and build contacts with with employers

This understanding of the real world of work is incredibly valuable. As well as helping your child to make more informed choices about their career pathway, they will gain experience that employers look for when it comes to hiring.

T-levels keep their options open

T-levels are a good option even if your child only has a rough idea of the career or field they’re interested in. The study and industry placement aren’t linked to a specific individual role or job. Instead your child will be given a broad exposure to an industry and the many different roles it offers.

Going straight into employment is one option after completing a T-level and your child will have a head start on the skills they’ll need in the workplace.

Alternatively they could start an apprenticeship or higher level studies including university. One T-level is the equivalent of three A-levels, so has the same UCAS points value (the system that calculates university offers).

T-levels are the business

T-levels are part of a drive to strengthen the technical education system in England and give young people the knowledge and skills they need to gain good jobs. Many employers talk about a skills gap, meaning they can’t get the technically trained people they need to fill key roles.

T-levels develop these technical skills by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, working with employers to shape the courses and prepare young people for today’s job market.

T-levels available now

Currently, your child can choose to study one of 18 different T-levels that cover a wide range of sectors and interests:

• Agriculture, land management and production
• Accounting
• Building services engineering for construction
• Design and development for engineering and manufacturing
• Design, surveying and planning for construction
• Digital business services
• Digital production, design and development
• Digital support services
• Education and childcare
• Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
• Finance
• Health
• Healthcare science
• Legal Services
• Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
• Management and administration
• Onsite construction
• Science

Schools and colleges may not offer every T-level, so it’s best to check what is available in your local area.

More to come

There are a further six T-levels being rolled-out in future years across England. These new T-levels will be:

• Animal care and management
• Catering
• Craft and design
• Hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy
• Media, broadcast and production
• Marketing

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 then begin the T-level course of their choosing.

Your local T-level provider can provide additional information on the Transition Programme they offer.