T Levels – what are they, and how will they benefit your business?

T Levels

– what are they, and how will they benefit your business?

Bournemouth & Poole College is thrilled to be launching T Levels in September 2023. With three courses available and many more in the pipeline for the future, now is the time for businesses to understand what they are, the benefits and steps to take to prepare for their future. What are they? T Levels are a new qualification equal to three A Levels, but with a technical focus and mandatory workplace-based learning that makes up 20% of the course.

In practice, this means a 16–18-year-old student will study T Levels for two years, spending a day a week (or a block placement) with an employer. Like apprenticeships, students will learn through a blend of workplace learning and learning at college. Unlike apprenticeships, there is a balance of 80% of time at college and 20% of time at the workplace.

Like A Levels and BTECs, T Levels attract UCAS points. Successful T Level students can continue their studies at university or go directly into work. How will they benefit businesses? The benefits of T Levels, compared to other more traditional routes through education, are huge for employers.

Firstly, by offering work placements employers can develop a direct talent pipeline with a yearly output of qualified, trained potential employees [CS1] with the experience and work connections that no amount of traditional education can provide. By being involved in their education, employers can guarantee that young people are leaving college with the skills they need to start having an impact in their workplace as early as possible.

Businesses can also benefit from longterm work placements with current students at no cost. Recognising the importance of work experience to the student, there is no expectation that work placements should be paid. This doesn’t mean that the student won’t make impact in the business, however – in fact, it’s expected that the placement student will work just like any other employee.

Students can complete their placements in timeframes suitable for business needs. Whether it’s one day a week for the full two-year course length or a shorter period of multiple days a week, T Level placements are flexible and allow businesses to plan placements around projects, commitments and demand. For some employers, a 45-day block placement is more suitable when the student has already completed a significant amount of college-based education. Others will prefer a longer-term placement. What about the students? Students on T Levels will benefit too. Leaving college or school with little or no relevant work experience will be a thing of the past. Students on T Levels gain valuable experience in the workplace while still studying in an academic setting for most of their time. What is available locally? A small number of providers are beginning to offer T Levels locally. One of the challenges in providing T Levels is the need for work placements – something that takes resourcing and planning, as well as maintaining industry connections.

Bournemouth & Poole College, already Dorset’s leading apprenticeship provider, plans to launch many T Levels over the coming years. T Levels in Digital Production & Development, Surveying & Design for Construction and Education & Childcare are the first, launching in September 2023.

Are you interested in working with Bournemouth & Poole College on offering placements or would like to discuss the benefits further? Get in touch with our Industry Placement Advisors at enquiries@bpc.ac.uk

employers can develop a direct talent pipeline with a yearly output of qualified, trained potential employees Construction TLevels

Digital TLevels

Childcare TLevels