The Structure of a T Level

To be awarded a T Level, students will need to complete the following two elements:

1) Technical qualification, which includes:
a) core theory, concepts and skills for that industry/sector
b) specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation
2) Industry placement with employer

T Level certificates, awarded on successful completion of the course will be nationally recognised and include:

• The overall grade for the T Level – Distinction* to Pass
• Separate grade for the core component – A* to E
• Separate grades for each occupational specialism – Distinction, Merit or Pass.

It will also confirm that the student has:

• Completed an industry placement
• Met any additional mandatory requirements, if applicable.

Students who do not pass all elements will get a T Level statement of achievement which will show the elements they have completed.

Industry Placements

A unique part of a T Level is the time students spend on an industry placement (minimum of 315 hours/around 45 days) or around 20% of their course. This gives students an invaluable opportunity to put their new knowledge and skills into practice and understand the world of work.

Placements differ from traditional work experience as they are significantly longer and students are expected to complete meaningful work for the employer.

Individual employers and training providers agree how the placement will work – whether as a block of time, a series of day releases or a combination of both.

Students are not typically paid for their placement. However, the provider may be able to support some of the costs of placement.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Thousands of T Level-style industry placements have taken place in readiness for the rollout of T Levels and the feedback from both employers and students has been positive.

In response to the impact of the pandemic, an incentive scheme will help employers with the delivery of placements. Employers can claim £1,000 for every T Level student they host on an industry placement between 27 May 2021 and July 2022.

Students benefit by having the opportunity to:

• Put their studies into context and practice their developing skills in a real work environment
• Understand the world of work and start networking with potential future employers
• Check that this is the career they want to pursue
• Gain real experience to put on their CV and talk about at interview

Employers benefit by:

• Spotting talented young people that they might want to recruit
• Bringing in new skills and extra resource for projects
• Upskilling existing staff through coaching and mentoring
• Creating a diverse workforce and supporting their community