New T Level qualifications described as the ‘biggest shake up to technical education in a generation’ will be offered by The City of Liverpool College in September 2021. Tony McDonough reports
New qualifications designed to help young people become ‘work-ready’ and offer a genuine alternative to university will be offered to Liverpool students in September 2021.
The City of Liverpool College says it will be offering the two-year T Level courses that will follow GCSEs. Their introduction by Government is being described as the “biggest shake up to technical education in a generation”.
Created in collaboration with industry and business, T Levels courses will be equivalent to three A Levels and will offer students a combination of classroom learning and on-the-job placements totalling at least 315 hours (around 45 days).
They have beed designed to provide young people with the chance to start their career, pursue further study or complete a high-quality apprenticeship. The aim is to create a qualification that bridges the gap between education and the workplace.
Elaine Bowker, principal and chief executive of The City of Liverpool College, said the idea that A Levels and a university degree was superior to other routes into careers was now being challenged. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson claims a third of graduates end up in non-graduate jobs, despite often paying fees of £9,250 per year.
Ms Bowker said: “The world of work is changing and we have seen that more than ever in recent months. Now, more and more employers are looking for work-ready candidates with real world, technical experience, not just theory.
“These T Levels will support our economy to address the skills gap, to drive up productivity, raise aspirations and, as a result, support social mobility. There is understandably a huge amount of confusion and uncertainty for young people who are looking at their next steps at the moment, so it’s fantastic that we’re able to provide more options for them to find a path that is right for them.”
The City of Liverpool College is one of 88 new providers across the country to have been selected to deliver 18 T Levels. The providers will teach new subjects such as law, finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing. The first three T Levels for digital, education and construction with a further seven to added, including three in health and science.