The City of Liverpool College (COLC) is set to roll out the first of its T Level courses in September with applications now open for this year’s school leavers.
Since launching in September 2020, T Levels have been hailed as the biggest shake-up to education in a decade, with the pioneering qualification creating a direct pathway for a smooth transition into industry.
The City of Liverpool College is one of a select number of education providers across England chosen to deliver the T Level programmes, with only six other colleges in the Liverpool City Region currently offering the courses.
T Levels are advanced two-year qualifications that have been developed by the Government in collaboration with leading businesses and employers to better meet the needs of industry and ensure students are fully prepared to enter the working world post-study.
The unique course structure combines the traditional classroom format of A Levels, with the hands-on element of apprenticeships to provide learners with both the theory and practical understanding allowing them to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work.
As well as ensuring learners are prepared for the workplace, T Levels will help aid the recovery of the UK’s economy following the Covid-19 pandemic. The course curriculum will address the skills gap, as well as drive up productivity, raise aspirations and, as a result, support social mobility.
T Levels, introduced as part of the Education Secretary’s ambitious 10-year plan to overhaul technical education, offer a qualification outcome equivalent to three A Levels. T Levels are structured to combine 80% classroom theory and practical learning with 20% industry placement of at least 315 hours – or 45 days – with an employer.
From September, the College will offer 11 T Levels in Digital, Education and Childcare, Construction and Engineering, Health and Science, with courses delivered across its 5 city centre campuses.
Elaine Bowker, Principal at The City of Liverpool College, said:
“We are really excited to be launching T Level courses this September. At The City of Liverpool College, we’re passionate about creating high quality opportunities for young people. T Levels, with their focus on connecting students directly with employers, will offer an improved route from classroom to workplace.
“I have always been a big believer that curriculum should be designed with industry in mind; doing so allows us, as educators, to provide businesses with the skilled workers they need to help them grow, whilst also giving those who are just starting out in their careers the opportunity to gain real-world experience and have the best possible chance of success.
“T Levels provide young people with an amazing blend of academic learning alongside all the rich and varied experiences they will gain within workplace settings.
“This innovative qualification is the biggest investment in technical education in decades and is a crucial step towards futureproofing the LCR economy by helping create the higher-level technical skills needed to grow industry.”
The City of Liverpool College is one of 88 new providers across the country to have been selected to deliver T Levels. The providers will teach new subjects such as Laboratory Sciences, Digital Production Design and Development and Engineering and Manufacturing.
T Levels have been backed by an additional half a billion pounds of investment every year whilst programmes are fully rolled out, alongside £133 million to ensure students have access to industry standard equipment and high-quality facilities.
To find out more about the T Levels available, go to The City of Liverpool College website at: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/t-levels/.