With the introduction of T-Levels starting this September, Leeds City College are hosting a T-Level focused event as part of Leeds Manufacturing Festival. This event will bring the cities manufacturers and careers advisors together to provide information on T-Level qualifications which provides students with a mixture of classroom learning and on the job training and experience gained through industry placements.
Manufacturers and Career Advisors will have the chance to meet the staff delivering classroom learning, along with meeting Mitch Scott (Head of School of Engineering) and Gina Yates (Head of Careers, Work Experience and Progression). Both of which are involved with the setup and delivery of qualifications in engineering and manufacturing in the new academic year.
E3 Recruitment’s partner MAKE UK will also have a presence at the event with Jamie Cater, Senior Policy Manager and Bhavina Bharkada, Senior Campaigns and Skills Policy Manager will also be in attendance to provide their perspective on the role of T-Levels in addressing the skills challenge for the sector.
T-Levels are a two-year technical programme of study, offered after GCSEs and bridge the gap between choosing a purely academic route through A Levels or choosing a Level 3 apprenticeship. Technical Levels are a great option for those wanting to gain base theory knowledge of the industry whilst also having the support of securing industry placements.
For manufacturing and engineering T-Levels, the delivery will include two exams and a first-year employer set project (approximately 45 days of industry placement) plus an occupational specialism. There is a choice of three pathways that are assessed through practical assignments in the second year, with the results from both years being combined to give an overall grade. The occupational specialisms on offer are:
- Design & Development
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair
- OR Manufacturing, Process, and control
On completion, students will have gained a qualification, equivalent to three A-Levels, that will have given them a strong insight into the world of work, have demonstrable experience, and could take up higher education, an apprenticeship or jump straight into full-time employment.
Manufacturers will be able to build a solid pipeline of future talent, helping to close the gap in entry-level skills shortages while also nurturing talent for their business and ensuring the UK has strong labour prospects in the years ahead.
Jamie Cater, Senior Policy Manager for employment at manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, who is speaking at the Leeds Manufacturing Festival event on 3rd March, said: “T-level industry placements offer manufacturers the valuable opportunity to begin developing a pipeline of future talent with experience of the workplace, and give learners the chance to put into practice the knowledge acquired during their qualification.
“Whether progressing into full-time employment or further work-based training such as an apprenticeship, a T-level in engineering and manufacturing could be the ideal way to kickstart a young person’s career in the sector and equip manufacturers with the technical skills they need.”
If you are interested in attending the event, please register here:www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-manufacturing-festival-t-level-industry-placements-tickets-261665728237
More information on T-levels at Leeds City College is available here: https://leedscitycollege.ac.uk/t-levels/