Students in Cumbria are to be offered new T-level qualifications high-quality technical alternatives equivalent to three A-levels.
T-level courses will be available to students from September across five subject areas: digital, design and development, education and childcare, health, science and construction.
The new qualifications have been designed in collaboration with leading employers with the aim of providing the skills that businesses in the county need and building on growth areas in Cumbria.
T-levels are unique as they combine classroom study with a substantial industry placement so young people gain valuable work experience in their chosen sector. 15.9 per cent or 30,000 people in Cumbria are currently employed in the health and social care sector.
The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is one of the leading local employers in the sector. It currently employs 8,500 people and is looking to offer more than 100 placements to local T-level students across multiple disciplines.
Industry placements are core to the make-up of T-levels and see students spending an extended period (at least 45 days) in a work environment gaining hands-on experience and learning vital technical skills.
Successfully completing a T-level will give young people the option to progress to the next level, whether that is going on to further study or getting a job or an apprenticeship in one of these growing sectors.
Ray Olive, assistant director of people and organisational development at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In chairing the employer panel and helping to design one of the engineering and manufacturing T-levels, I’ve seen first-hand the amount of thought and planning that went into designing these courses to make sure students get the skills and experience that businesses need, and enable them to progress quickly in their careers.
“Running a trust of this size requires dedicated work across multiple disciplines – nothing has spotlighted that more than the work to tackle the greatest health challenge of our time – COVID-19.
“Now, more than ever and post-pandemic we need enthusiastic and talented young people coming into the profession.”
From September, Furness College will be one of three colleges in the region offering the new T-level qualifications.
Nearly 80 places are available across four T-level subjects at the college this year and there has been strong interest, particularly in the health and education T-levels.
“T-levels are the next step up for 16-19-year-old students who know which direction they want to pursue a career,” said Sue Hannan, assistant principal for curriculum at Furness College.
“Combining 20 per cent industry placement with 80 per cent in college learning helps students to progress into skilled employment, university and higher-level study or apprenticeships.
“This innovative qualification is the biggest investment in technical education in decades and is an important step towards futureproofing the Cumbrian economy by helping create the higher-level technical skills needed to grow industry, with T-levels being much more focused on placements and technical understanding.”
Furness College will be hosting a virtual T-levels information event on March 25 to support students in making future choices during lockdown.
You can register for this event here: www.furness.ac.uk
Kendal College and Lakes College, at Lillyhall, near Workington will also be offering T-levels from September.
