Skills minister Anne Milton is appealing to companies to come forward to assist in the development of new T levels in subjects ranging from hair and beauty to business and administration.

Business leaders are being sought for employer panels to help devise outline content for the new qualifications.

Announcing the move today, Milton said: “T levels are about giving greater choice to young people to get the skills they need to achieve good jobs. It is also about businesses - we know they are crying out for a skilled workforce and T levels will create the next generation of talented employees for them.”

The Department for Education is seeking input for several T levels due to start in 2022. These will include agriculture, environmental and animal care; business and administration; hair and beauty; creative and design; and catering and hospitality.

The new qualifications will be on a par with A levels and provide young people with a genuine choice between technical and academic education post-16, according to the DfE.

Businesses interested in joining employer panels need to apply by Monday, 7 May.

Milton said: “We are already working with top industry leaders and want even more to join us to make this a success for individuals, businesses and the economy.”

Responding to today’s announcement, Mark Dawe, chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, commented: “It’s good that the employer voice is being heard throughout this process and I hope that the employers will impress on the government the need to have a standalone programme at level 2 for progression onto T levels. With Brexit on the horizon, it’s going to be needed.”

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