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

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

• Agriculture, land management and production
• Animal care and management
• Accounting
• Building services engineering for construction
• Craft and design
• Design and development for engineering and manufacturing
• Design, surveying and planning for construction
• Digital data analytics
• Digital software development
• Digital support and security
• Education and early years
• Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
• Finance
• Health and science
• Legal Services
• Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
• Management and administration
• Marketing
• Media, broadcast and production
• Science

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

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 Foundation Year has been created for just this purpose.

The T-level Foundation Year 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 Foundation Year they offer.