Alongside construction and digital, the early years sector will be one of the first new technical qualifications to be taught at selected schools, colleges and other further education providers across England.
The new website is aimed at young people preparing to take their GCSEs next summer, so that they have the information they need about the new qualifications.
The Government’s NexT Level campaign will feature on social media, television on-demand, posters and other digital platforms.
T-Levels will be two-year courses equivalent to three A-levels, combining classroom theory and practical learning and will be available to 16- to 19-year-olds who have completed GCSEs.
There will be 25 T-Levels in total which are being phased in over the next four years.
The Government has confirmed that the next wave of T-Levels to be taught in 2022 and 2023 include engineering and manufacturing, and legal, finance and accounting, and business and administration.
From 2023, T-Levels in agriculture, environmental and animal care, creative and design, hair and beauty, and catering and hospitality will also be available.
The Government has also published:
- new guidance for T Level providers who will offer the T Level Transition Programme. The DfE said that the programme is designed to help young people, who may not be quite ready, get the support they need to progress onto T Levels and subsequently to fulfilling careers.
- its T Level Action Plan confirming the details of the remaining 15 T-Levels to be introduced from 2022 and 2023 – as well as the selection criteria for providers wishing to deliver T- Levels in 2022.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said, ‘T-Levels are a complete game changer – high-quality technical courses that will give young people a head start in their careers and that will rival top performing technical education systems like those offered in Germany.
‘With less than a year to go before the first T-Levels are taught, we want to make sure young people and their parents know all about the brilliant opportunities these new qualifications will offer. Our new campaign will help make sure they have all the info they need.
‘I’m also pleased to confirm the details of the final 15 T-Levels that will be taught from 2022 and 2023, in vital sectors like agriculture, manufacturing and legal, which completes the suite of 25 new courses that will be rolled out over the next four years.’
The DfE said that T-Level students will need to complete a high-quality industry placement of at least 315 hours (or around 45 days) to build the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a workplace environment.
Sir Gerry Berragan, chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, said, ‘We are extremely excited about launching T Levels that will provide a gold standard of technical education on par with A Levels.
‘The Institute fully supports this campaign. It’s important that potential students and their parents are aware that they will be rolled out from next academic year. We know that many young people are looking for an exciting alternative to the academic route and want to start training for their chosen careers after completing their GCSEs.’
UCAS recently confirmed that T Levels will attract points equivalent to three A levels, offering students the option of progressing to higher technical training, a degree or an apprenticeship.