This document discusses educating students for the future workforce in IT and computing. It notes that few students take IT qualifications like A-Levels and applied IT courses. The government focuses on academic qualifications but industry needs qualified employees now. It outlines new specialist qualifications being developed, like T-Levels and technical courses designed with industry input. These aim to better prepare students for careers through industry placements. The conclusion is that schools can prepare students for careers if they find companies to partner with for practical learning opportunities.

1. EDUCATING THE
FUTURE
David Kinnen, The Thetford Academy
Neil Tiddy, Thorpe St Andrew School

2. Educating the Future?
LOW NUMBERS OF
STUDENTS STUDYING IT
QUALIFICATIONS
GOVERNMENT FOCUS ON
“ACADEMIC”
QUALIFICATIONS
INDUSTRY NEEDS QUALIFIED
PEOPLE NOW

3. 10.4 9.3
40.5
62
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Computing Drama Maths Psychology
Entriesin000s
A Level 2019

4. 10.4
8.2
3.9
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Computing A Level Applied IT Technical IT
Entriesin000s
IT and Computing – A Level and Specialist 2019

5. Specialist Qualifications
◦Awarding bodies have withdrawn
specialist qualifications due to low
demand.
◦National Centre for Computing
Education is focused on GCSE and A
Level.
◦Institute for Apprenticeships is focused
on T Levels.
The Department for
Education has defunded all
specialist qualifications that
do not contain at least 40%
written examination.

6. Specialist Qualifications
◦T Levels (from September 2020).
◦Applied Generals (content
approved by Universities and the
DfE)
◦Technical Levels (content
approved by industry and the
DfE)
Awarding Bodies:
• Pearson BTEC
• Cambridge Technical
• City & Guilds
• AQA (until 2021)

7. Now for the good news…
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR
COMPUTING EDUCATION
T LEVELS & TECHNICALS
DESIGNED BY AND FOR
INDUSTRY
LOCAL SCHOOLS OFFERING T
LEVELS & TECHNICALS

8. Industry Placements
Industry wants
qualified entrants
Industry
placements
support both
Schools are
providing specialist
qualifications

9. Educating the Future
◦Schools can prepare students for
career-entry.
◦Schools need to find industrial
partners for placements.
◦Industry wants young people that are
practically competent.

10. QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS