Despite a letter from the Department for Education’s permanent secretary suggesting a delay in the implementation of T levels, Damian Hinds was not to be deterred.

Last week, the education secretary first announced that the implementation of T levels would go ahead as planned, and then – alongside the government’s consultation response on the new qualifications – he revealed the list of colleges that will be the first to deliver them. The subtext was clear: “Look here, we are totally on track. These are the people who will show you how it’s done in only a couple of years’ time.”

Writing exclusively for Tes, Hinds says this is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to bring technical education in the UK up to the level of the very best countries in the world (bit.ly/HindsReform). He is committed to pushing this reform through.

And while concerns will surely remain over the timescale of implementing such a significant programme, as well as the qualifications themselves, in today’s Tes, Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes says the recent announcements have given him “cause for hope”.

I am tempted to agree with him. Being the focus of ministerial attention is not without risk, but it is significantly better than fading into obscurity in some forgotten corner of the educational landscape. FE has had more than its fair share of change and upheaval. But there is no part of the education sector more experienced at dealing with such adversity.

So the sector should make the most of the opportunity that swimming on the wave of the government’s priorities offers. This mustn’t come at any cost, though. Rejecting his own permanent secretary’s guidance – a highly unusual move – sends a signal that Hinds is determined to do whatever it takes to further this agenda. Let’s just hope that his pursuit of personal political glory does not lead us down yet another dead end.