2. THE INDEPENDENT PANEL ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Led by Lord Sainsbury - advised Ministers on
improving the quality of technical education
in England
The expert panel found a compelling case for
change and recommended comprehensive reform:
• The development of 15 technical routes,
encompassing all employment-based and
college-based training (apprenticeships and
T Levels)
• The development of new flagship technical
education programmes (T Levels) to be
delivered through exclusive license
• A radical streamlining of existing technical
qualifications, aiming to simplify the
system for students and employers
• Government accepted all recommendations in
the 2016 Skills Plan, and committed to
deliver first T Levels from September 2020
3. WHY ARE WE REFORMING TECHNICAL EDUCATION?
PRODUCTIVITY SOCIAL MOBILITY
The UK performs
poorly in terms
of productivity,
compared to
other G7
countries.
22% of the
productivity gap with
Germany, and 18% of
the gap with France,
is due to skills,
with the majority of
the remaining gap due
to investment per
worker.
Estimates suggest that matching Germany in
terms of skill levels at level 3, could
result in an additional £4.6b per year.
The benefit to individual young people from
achieving a level 3 rather than a level 2
qualification, is estimated at £2,270 per
year, and would affect 86,000 each year.
Those from
disadvantaged areas
are significantly
less likely to have
achieved level 3 or
above by age 25.
There are significant
increases in average
earnings depending on
the highest level of
education.
The average annual income in
London was 28% higher than
England, while house prices
were 91% higher.
4. Classroom based
programmes
delivered over
2 years by an
FE provider
(80% in the
classroom and
20% on the job)
Work based
training for a
minimum of 12
months (80% on
the job and 20%
off the job
e.g. in an FE
college)
Subject-based
qualifications
delivered over
2 years by
school sixth-
forms, sixth-
form colleges
and FE colleges
A LEVELS T LEVELS APPRENTICESHIPS
IN FUTURE, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A CLEAR CHOICE
AT 16 – WHETHER TO PURSUE AN ACADEMIC OR TECHNICAL PATH
Purpose: To prepare students for entry into skilled employment
(including higher level apprenticeships), either immediately
or after higher levels of technical education (L4+)
• T Levels and apprenticeships are two options within the same
technical education system
• Both T Levels and apprenticeships are based on the same
occupational standards, developed by employers as part of Institute
for Apprenticeships
Purpose: To prepare students
for higher education
• We are currently undertaking
a review qualifications at
level 3 (excluding A Levels)
and will only keep those of
high quality and with a
distinct purpose.
ACADEMIC TECHNICAL
5. WHAT IS A T LEVEL?
• New, two year technical education
courses that will follow GCSEs. One T
Level is Equivalent to 3 A Levels
• Developed in collaboration with
employers, so that content meets the
needs of industry and prepares
students for work
• A mixture of classroom learning (80%)
and ‘on-the-job’ experience (20%)
during an industry placement of a
minimum of 315 hours, with an average
of 350 hours (around 45 days)
• Will provide the knowledge and
experience needed for skilled
employment, further study or a higher
apprenticeship
6. WHAT MAKES T LEVELS DIFFERENT FROM
PREVIOUS REFORMS TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION?
• T Levels are part of a comprehensive, long term reform of
technical education
• Overall aim is not to add new qualifications to an already
complex system, but to simplify the qualification landscape
• The purpose of T Levels is clear – we are not attempting to
achieve multiple goals across vocational and academic
education
• T Levels are designed by reference to the world’s best
technical education systems, with much longer hours than
other qualifications, a meaningful industrial placement,
and the inclusion of English, maths and digital
• In contrast to previous reforms, we are directly involving
employers in the development of T Levels, and they are
setting out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required
for each occupational area
7. T LEVELS: PROGRESSION OPTIONS
Skilled Employment
• T Level content designed by employers to facilitate direct
progression into skilled employment
• Core content provides underpinning knowledge and breadth of skills
to support adaptability
• Occupational Specialisms develop technical competence
• Industry Placement provides direct experience with employers,
builds attitudes and behaviours and takes technical competence
further
Higher Education
• We expect T Levels to provide a route to higher technical education
at levels 4-6
• HE providers set their own admissions criteria. We are talking to
universities and HE providers now about the HE courses a T Level
student would be suited to
• The UCAS tariff for T Levels has been confirmed. This will support
progression into HE and help HE providers align T Levels with other
qualifications in their admissions
8. T LEVELS: PROGRESSION OPTIONS
Apprenticeships
• Many T Level students will be able to move on from their course
to a relevant apprenticeship at level 4 or higher technical
education
• In some cases a young person might want the opportunity to work
in a different or more specialist area, which might mean taking
an apprenticeship at level 3 or below. This would take into
account the prior learning gained through completion of a T Level
(while still needing to meet the minimum 12 month duration)
• A T Level student would be able to move on to an apprenticeship
at the same or lower level than a qualification they already
hold, if the apprenticeship allows the individual to acquire
substantive new skills and the content of the training is
materially different from any prior qualification or a previous
apprenticeship
9. UCAS tariff points
• UCAS points will be awarded to the overall T Level
grade, not to separate components
• The tariff is based on an alignment of intended
standards with other Level 3 qualifications, including A
Levels
T LEVELS: PROGRESSION OPTIONS
UCAS tariff
points
T Level overall grade A level
168 Distinction*
(A* on the core and
distinction in the
occupational specialism)
A*A*A*
144 Distinction AAA
120 Merit BBB
96 Pass (C or above on the core) CCC
72 Pass (D or E on the core) DDD
10. HOW IS A T LEVEL DIFFERENT FROM AN APPRENTICESHIP - WHY
WOULD A STUDENT CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHER?
• T Levels and apprenticeships are based on the same employer
designed standards, but will suit different learning styles
• Apprenticeships are paid work, suitable for students who know
what occupation they want to pursue and wish to train ‘on the
job’
• T Levels are largely classroom based, with a substantive
industry placement
• T Levels will offer a broader course content, and students
will specialise later in their programme. Apprenticeships
content is narrower and focussed on a specific occupation
from the outset
• On completion of their course, T Level students will be ready
to start work in their chosen area. Apprentices will be
‘occupationally competent’ on completion of their course
• We want T Levels to be the technical course of choice for
students in the future
11. T LEVEL INDUSTRY PLACEMENT ENGLISH AND MATHS
REQUIREMENTS
• Students required to
achieve a level 2 in
English and maths
• Either GCSE (grade 4
and above) or level 2
Functional Skills
(pass)
T LEVEL PROGRAMME
1800 Hrs over 2 years
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ) 900-1400 GLH
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALISM
• At least half of the qualification
• Knowledge and skills required to
enter employment in that
occupational specialism
• As close to full competence as
possible
• English, maths and digital
competence integrated where relevant
CORE
• Up to half the qualification
• Knowledge and understanding of
the concepts, theories and
principles relevant to that
sector
• Assessed through an external
examination and a substantial
project
• Between 315-420 hours
• Undertaken with an external
employer
• Chance to apply skills and
apply knowledge in a
workplace environment
• Support for travel and
subsistence costs but
employers not expected to
pay students
ADDITIONAL MANDATORY
REQUIREMENTS
• Occupation-specific
requirements
included where
possible if
essential to enter
employment
12. T LEVELS: GRADING AND CERTIFICATION
• Students who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of
pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. They will get a nationally
recognised certificate which will show:
an overall grade for the T Level, shown as pass, merit, distinction
or distinction*
a separate grade for the core component, using A* to E
a separate grade for each occupational specialism, shown as pass,
merit or distinction
It will also include confirmation that the student has:
met the minimum requirements for maths and English qualifications
completed the industry placement
met any additional mandatory requirements
• A student’s overall T Level grade will be worked out from the grades
they achieved on the core component and the occupational
specialism(s)
• Students who do not pass all elements of their T Level will get a T
Level statement of achievement which will show the elements they have
completed
13. EMPLOYERS ON T LEVEL PANELS DEVELOP THE OUTLINE CONTENT
FOR T LEVELS
T Level Panels are made up of employers, professional
bodies and providers. They are managed by the Institute
for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
• The Panels set out the knowledge and skills needed to
perform skilled occupations in their industry – using
the approved standards which are common to
apprenticeships. They also advise on specific maths,
English and digital requirements necessary for
occupational competence
• The outline content then goes to Route Panels for final
approval. The next step is for awarding organisations to
turn the content into a qualification, which can be
assessed. FE providers then finalise the curriculum
14. INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS
• We have carried out extensive user centred research and
analysis – listening to the sector to understand their
concerns
• This has been backed up with significant engagement– working
with employers, providers and students to shape the policy
evidence base and identify best practice and challenges to
delivering industry placements
Industry Placement Pilot Scheme (led by The Challenge)
• The industry placement pilot scheme tested different models
and approaches to delivering T Level placements in academic
year 2017/18. 21 providers piloted these, successfully
enabling over 1,100 placements to be completed
• An independent evaluation of the pilots was published in
December 2018. A key message was that ‘one size doesn’t fit
all’, and models need to vary between industry, course and
employer type
15. INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS: SUPPORT WE HAVE IN PLACE
FOR PROVIDERS AND EMPLOYERS
• Allocated nearly £60 million to providers to help
them build their capacity to deliver - with another
£55m available for 19/20
• The National Apprenticeship Service is providing a
referral and matching service to make it easier for
employers to be put in touch with local providers
• We have published ‘how to’ guidance for both
providers and employers, based on good practice
from the pilots – and intensive support has been
given to those providers who needed it
• Leading by example with the civil service as a
major employer - first placements hosted in DfE
from May 19
16. INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS: POLICY STATEMENT AND EMPLOYER SUPPORT
In May we announced some changes that will ensure placements are high
quality, meaningful, deliverable across different industries and
accessible for all students:
• Allowing students generally to work with up to 2 employers
• Using on-site facilities for SEND students for part of the placement,
and for all of the placement for those in Young Offenders Institutes.
• Allowing a small proportion of occupationally relevant work tasters
to count towards placement
• Allowing part time work to count as long as it is occupationally
relevant and at the right level
• Placements recorded in hours rather than days - to reflect different
working practices
• Some route-specific models to reflect different industries such as
allowing placements at route level for digital.
Employer support package:
• Training, guidance and intensive support for employers
• Piloting a £7m employer support fund in AY 19/20
• Exploring local innovation to tackle location and access barriers
17. THE BENEFITS OF INDUSTRY
PLACEMENTS TO EMPLOYERS
• Gain extra resources for day-to-day projects
• Develop a cost-effective recruitment pipeline of
talent for entry-level jobs
• Attract motivated young people to your business
and bring in imaginative and new ideas
• Build the capacity of your business and develop
the skills you need
• Give your staff the opportunity to upskill
in coaching and mentoring
• Build a more diverse and creative workforce
• Provide a positive experience for a local
young person
18. T LEVEL DELIVERY – PHASED IMPLEMENTATION
• The rollout of 25 T Levels is phased, the first three
(Digital, Education & Childcare and Construction) will
be taught in around 50 providers from September 2020
• Seven more T Levels will roll out in 2021 – a further
64 providers expect to deliver these
• Providers selected through expressions of interest and
had to meet a set of quality criteria, to ensure a
good starting position to get ready for T Level
delivery
• Managed roll out enables us to support providers
intensively to support high quality early
implementation
• The expressions of interest process for 2022 delivery
launched in January 2020. We expect to announce the
successful providers in the summer.
19. ONE AWARDING BODY WILL HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO DELIVER EACH T LEVEL
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION
T LEVELS FROM SEPTEMBER 2020
DIGITAL •Digital Production, Design and Development
EDUCATION &
CHILDCARE
•Education
CONSTRUCTION •Design, Surveying and Planning
T LEVELS FROM SEPTEMBER 2021
DIGITAL •Digital Support and Services
•Digital Business Services
CONSTRUCTION •Onsite Construction
•Building Services Engineering
HEALTH AND
SCIENCE
• Health
• Healthcare Science
• Science
Pearson
NCFE
Pearson
NCFE
City & Guilds
NCFE
• The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education lead the
procurement
• Awarding organisations for 2020 are working closely with the providers
Announced
February
2019
Announced
October
2019
20. T LEVEL ACTION PLAN 2019
• Confirmed the rollout schedule for the remaining 15 T Levels in
2022 and 2023
• Confirmed the selection criteria for providers to deliver T
Levels in 2022. We are looking for a wide range of post-16
providers to offer T Levels, including FE colleges and sixth
form colleges, UTCs, schools and independent training providers
• The 2022 Expressions of Interest exercise has since been
launched January 2020. Successful providers will be announced in
the summer.
• Progress updates across core T Level policy including industry
placements, T Level Professional Development and UCAS points,
grading and certification
• Progress on the wider qualification reform work at level 3 and
below and in higher technical education and training at levels 4
and 5
21. T LEVEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• To ensure that T Levels deliver great
outcomes for learners, we are committed to
ensuring that teachers and leaders have the
support they need to deliver them well.
• In the two years to March 2020, we will
already have invested up to £20m to support
providers as they prepare for the
introduction of T Levels.
• As part of this £20m, the Education and
Training Foundation is delivering a new £8m
T Level Professional Development offer, to
help staff prepare for the change and
successfully deliver the first T Levels.
• The offer has 5 strands (Professional
development needs analysis, Understanding T
Levels, Teacher development programme,
Knowledge hubs, and Organisational
readiness) and has been available since May
2019.
22. COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN
Launched in October 2019 - targeting young people,
parents, teachers and employers
The aim is to establish the status of T Levels,
raise awareness of the key benefits, stimulate
demand and inspire our audiences to find out more
New website – www.tlevels.gov.uk – where you can
find out more and search for a local provider plus
new T Level film on YouTube
National coverage but will be targeted in our 2020 provider areas.
Activity will include video on demand TV advertising, out of home
posters, social media activity etc.
We are working to help promote T Levels within schools and providing
training for careers advisers and careers leaders
We are working with the National Apprenticeship Service to promote
employer engagement - and using Employer Ambassadors to promote the
benefits of T Levels/placements
Series of industry placement case study films on the DfE YouTube
channel
23. RAISING AWARENESS WITH SCHOOLS
We are working with the Careers and Enterprise Company – who
link schools and colleges to employers and to help them
deliver world class careers support for all young people
We are providing training for Careers Leaders, who are
responsible for the delivery of careers advice and guidance
in schools
We are providing training directly to careers advisers
through the webinars and events in partnership with the
Career Development Institute
We are working closely with the National Careers Service to
ensure that T Levels and their progression routes are
reflected on their website
We are feeding into targeted events such as World Skills UK
and the National Careers Guidance conferences
We are examining how we can input T Level information through
existing programmes with close links to schools
24. AGRICULTURE,
ENVIRONMENTAL AND
ANIMAL CARE ROUTE
BUSINESS AND
ADMINISTRATIVE ROUTE
CATERING AND
HOSPITALITY ROUTE
CONSTRUCTION CREATIVE AND DESIGN
ROUTE
Agriculture, Land
Management and
Production
Human Resources Catering Building Services
Engineering
Craft and Design
Animal Care and
Management
Management and
Administration
Design, Surveying
and Planning
Cultural Heritage
and Visitor
Attractions
Onsite
Construction
Media, Broadcast
and Production
DIGITAL ROUTE EDUCATION AND
CHILDCARE ROUTE
ENGINEERING &
MANUFACTURING
ROUTE
HAIR AND BEAUTY
ROUTE
HEALTH AND
SCIENCE ROUTE
LEGAL, FINANCE &
ACCOUNTING ROUTE
Digital
Business
Services
Education Design and
Development
Hair, Beauty
and
Aesthetics
Health Accountancy
Digital
Production,
Design and
Development
Maintenance,
Installation
and Repair
Healthcare
Science
Financial
Digital Support
Services
Manufacturing,
Processing and
Control
Science Legal
T LEVEL ROLLOUT
T Levels for 2020 delivery
T Levels for 2021 delivery
T Levels for 2022 delivery
T Levels for 2023 delivery
25. NEXT STEPS
• We will continue to work closely with the selected 2020
providers to ensure they have the support they need for
first teaching – and pass on good practice to the 2021
providers
• We will announce those providers who will deliver 2022 T
Levels in the summer
• Building on the launch of our national campaign,
communications will ramp up each year as more T Levels
are introduced and student numbers increase
• We will work with the Education and Training Foundation
as they continue to develop and rollout the T Level
Professional Development offer for teachers and leaders
• We will continue to implement the extensive programme of
support for industry placements, including an employer
support package, a £7m employer support fund pilot in
2019/20 and the development of a quality framework
• The Institute will continue its work on approving the
content and procurement for T Levels
