Posted on 02 October 2023
This week marks National T Levels Week (Monday 2nd – Friday 6th October) – a celebration of the many new T Levels qualifications available and showcasing the programme’s success to date.
This is the second year Leeds College of Building has offered T Levels. These pioneering qualifications are designed in collaboration with leading employers to provide the skills businesses across the region need.
T Level subjects reflect business growth areas, including the construction sector which is urgently seeking the next generation of talent to fill vital skills gaps. The two-year courses follow GCSEs and are broadly equivalent to 3 A Levels. They offer young people an alternative qualification focusing on technical and vocational skills.
T Levels combine classroom theory, practical learning, and a minimum 315 hours of industry placement with an employer to ensure students have real workplace experience. Time is split between 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement.
The qualifications suit students who know the industry or area of work they want to pursue as a career. They differ from apprenticeships, which are predominantly work-based and focus more intensively on a particular role, and from A levels, which are academic and entirely classroom-based.
T Levels can also help students into skilled employment, higher apprenticeships, or higher education as they meet the accepted entry requirements for many universities.
Feedback from current T Level students includes that they chose T Levels as they “…sounded like a good choice for what I wanted to do, and I like how it introduces you to all components of construction.” They also said, “I chose this T Level as I would like to go on to either uni or complete an apprenticeship in Chartered Surveying” and “I want to get into architecture and T Levels seems to be a very good doorway into that area of construction.”
Leeds College of Building T Levels develop a general understanding of construction, for example accurate and appropriate measurements, construction methods and building regulations, digital engineering techniques, design principles and processes, mathematical problem-solving, and sustainability and environmental impact.
Nikki Davis, CEO & Principal at Leeds College of Building, said:
“Leeds College of Building is the UK’s only general Further Education college specialising in Construction and the Built Environment. As such, we are perfectly placed to work with our established network of regional and national employers to enhance T Level opportunities for students.
“T Level students at Leeds College of Building have access to state-of-the-art facilities and specialist teaching expertise. Students also benefit from established progression opportunities within higher and degree-level apprenticeships at the College and employment opportunities through our construction partners.
“Leeds College of Building is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. This qualification is helping us to better serve the region’s young people and workforce, opening up even more opportunities into high paying, skilled jobs.”
Find out more about T Level courses by registering to attend the next Leeds College of Building Open Event on 19 October (5 – 7 pm, North Street Campus).