JENNIFER COUPLAND, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT INSTITUTE FOR APPRENTICESHIPS AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION – SUPPLEMENTARY WRITTEN EVIDENCE (YUN0078)
Youth Unemployment Committee inquiry
Contents of this note:
Reflections on the first year of T Level delivery:
Comments from T Level students:
What will the second year of delivery bring?
What is the view from universities of T Levels?
I gave evidence to the committee on 24 June, 2021, and wanted to provide some additional information to my testimony that I did not get a chance to cover in my time with you.
The submission below also links to the data you requested on apprenticeship applications and successful placements for under 25s. This is owned by the Department for Education (DfE).
Kind regards,
Jennifer Coupland.
We are very proud of everything that has been achieved in challenging circumstances during the first year of T Levels.
The first three launched for digital production, design and development; design, surveying and planning for construction; and education and childcare last September.
We are focusing during the early stages of rollout on quality, rather than quantity. This means starting with a small group of providers that will grow as the qualifications become more established.
We think this approach has been very successful, testament to the fantastic employers who steered the content of the qualifications and excellent providers who have been working throughout the pandemic to deliver them.
So far, 43 schools and colleges have taught T Levels up and down the country to over 1,000 students and feedback has been very positive.
Providers have told us the qualifications are high quality and students have been full of enthusiasm for their work-based learning experiences.
I have been particularly buoyed by my own positive conversations with learners, having been involved with the design and implementation planning for T Levels since their inception.
I have included some comments below from students as examples of these conversations.
The first year of delivery has obviously not been without challenges, largely due to COVID-19.
The government is aware that COVID-19 is having an impact on the delivery of industry placements. It is working closely with providers and employers and will continue to review the situation to identify what further support might be needed.
Jake, who is studying the T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development, said:
Olivia, who is studying the Education and Childcare T Level, said:
Aaron, who is studying the T Level in Education and Childcare said:
As we look towards our second year, we the programme will expand as seven more T Levels begin delivery.
These cover building services engineering for construction; onsite construction; digital business services; digital support services; health; healthcare science; and science.
The number of providers is expected to more than double to around 100 which will support far more students onto the programme.
To meet the challenges outlined above on industry placements, the government is offering employers a £1,000 payment for each new T Level industry placement that begins before the 31 July 2022, as part of the employer incentive scheme.
The government is also stepping up engagement with schools as the programme grows to ensure students are aware of T Levels as one of their post-16 options.
The Education and Training Foundation is leading on support for teachers and leaders to deliver the T Level curriculum.
The Institute is continuing to work on the development of the 13 T Levels which will be introduced in colleges and schools in 2022 and 2023.
Students will be awarded Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) tariff points in line with three A Levels.
A distinction at T Level will result in the same number of points as three As at A Level.
T Levels will provide good preparation for degrees and other higher education in related subject areas and are working closely with higher education institutions on how they will feature in admissions policies.
A number of universities, including some from the Russell Group, have already accepted the first wave of T Levels as part of their admissions criteria for relevant courses starting in 2022. These include the University of Brighton, University of Exeter, University of Portsmouth and Greenwich University.
Awarding organisations are also working hard to ensure universities have a good understanding of the content and structure of T Level qualifications they are responsible for and understand how rigorous the programme is.
The government will continue to monitor universities as they publish criteria into the new term and continue to provide support to all universities, including the Russell Group.
I am confident that as T Levels become more common place, we will see lots more universities engaging with them and accepting students onto a wide range of courses.
See DfE release published on 21 July 2021 here: Apprenticeship vacancies: demand and supply data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
23rd July 2021