The government has announced 88 education providers that will be delivering the new T-level qualifications from September 2022. However, the news comes as it is also revealed four providers who had been due to start delivery this year have deferred that to 2021 as a result of the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.
T levels are being hailed as the new, high-quality technical alternatives to A levels, combining classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement. They have been created in collaboration with industry experts to help students learn the skills they need to thrive in the workplace, and will contain a high-quality industry placement – lasting at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days.
News: Government fully committed to T-level delivery in 2020
Need to know: Awarding bodies call for T-level delay
More: Can T-level providers be ready in September?
Offering T levels
The providers announced today mark the third wave of education providers to be selected to deliver the new qualification. The first three T levels will be taught from September 2020 with a further 22 being rolled out gradually between 2021 and 2023.
From 2023, all 16-19 further education providers will be able to offer some of the available T levels, but only providers rated good or outstanding by Ofsted will be able to deliver T Levels introduced in 2022 and 2023.
In March, Tes reported that despite the coronavirus pandemic, which led to the closure of colleges for most students and made seeking industry placement more challenging, most initial T-level providers were still planning on the assumption that they will be delivering T levels from September of this year.
However, the DfE said today that due to the current circumstances and the impact of coronavirus, four of the 2020 providers had decided to defer T-level delivery until 2021. A Department for Education spokesperson said the government had always taken a gradual approach to rolling out T levels to ensure it got “the new high-quality qualifications right from the outset”. “Four of the 50 providers for 2020 are delaying delivery until 2021 in light of the current circumstances, but they remain fully committed to T levels and we will continue to work closely with them.”
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Now, more than ever, it’s vital that young people across the country have access to high-quality technical education to provide them with the skills they need to succeed and employers with the workforce they need for the future.
“This third wave of further education providers will help us supercharge the roll-out of these new and pioneering qualifications and it’s fantastic to have them all on board. They will play a part in a unique opportunity to shape the lives of thousands of young people.”
Dawn Ward, chief executive and principal of Burton and South Derbyshire College said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to deliver T levels in 2022. We recognise the real benefits these qualifications will give our learners and see T levels as an important addition to our already employer focussed, technical and vocational curriculum offer.”
Emma Mills, headteacher of Birchwood Community High School said: “We are very excited to be part of the rich and varied approach to post-16 education through being able to deliver T levels in our college from 2022. We know this will hugely benefit our students by unlocking a wealth of opportunities which will ultimately enrich their future.”
