T Levels - Here to stay

From 2025, T Levels will be the only offer available for full-time learners entering the engineering and manufacturing industry. As it stands, there are 315 different Level 3 engineering and manufacturing qualifications for full-time learners to choose from – far too high a number and part of the reason why the government are standing by their decision to defund any existing qualifications which overlap with T Levels from 2025. This is a huge step forward in bringing about much-needed consistency to the educational landscape in the sector, as every T Level learner will study the same content for their chosen occupation and assessments will be aligned.

Being the only full-time pathway into this sector means that the content delivered must be highly relevant, current, and fit-for-purpose. Working with employers on the design and development of T Levels from their inception is key to their quality and it’s vital that this continues.

T Levels – the ‘gold standard’ qualifications

T Levels are the new generation of full-time vocational qualifications, with three T Levels in engineering and manufacturing set to be delivered from September 2022. Deemed the ‘gold standard qualifications’, they are derived from the occupational standards within apprenticeships and consist of knowledge and skills to allow learners to progress into their chosen occupation, an apprenticeship or into higher education.

The key game changer that engineering and manufacturing T Levels possess, is that a massive 50% of the technical qualification (TQ) is dedicated to practical (in the workshop) content (680 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). This will allow learners to develop key occupational skills in a practical setting, which simply put, many other full-time qualifications currently used, offer learners little or no time in a workshop environment and are typically knowledge-based qualifications.

Learners will also have to complete a rigorous common core, equating to the remaining 50% of the TQ. This consists of 17 individual units ranging from maths, materials, project management to drawing/ CAD, which provides learners with an extensive knowledge curriculum. The common core will be assessed via externally set and marked examinations and will attract a combined grade of A*-E.

City and Guilds will be creating a comprehensive catalogue of resources to support the delivery of the T levels. These resources have already started to be uploaded to the website and are all completely free of charge. The resources will include PowerPoints, worksheets, sample questions, handouts, schemes of work and much more to support providers and tutors across the country. You can find further information here - Resource Hub - T Levels | City & Guilds

How you can get involved

From September, learners will be enrolling onto their chosen T Level at their local provider. City & Guilds will be working hard in creating live assessments for each of the 13 different specialisms. We will also be welcoming employers from the mechanical, electrical, vehicles and composite sectors to get involved with us in creating and validating what learners will be assessed on as part of the occupational assessment. We are also looking for individuals to become Technical Quality Assurers (TQA) in those areas on an associate basis.

For further information, please contact the industry manager: Robert.Stott@cityandguilds.com