A Cumbrian college has welcomed the next generation of engineers as it starts its first ever T-level course.
Furness College is offering its first T-level – a technical alternative to three A-levels – in engineering and manufacturing.
14 new starters have taken their places on the programme which is taught in the £4 million Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre on the Channelside campus.
T-levels are a two-year technical qualification following GCSEs and feature a compulsory industry placement. The college is partnering with BAE Systems and other local engineering companies on the 45-day industry placement.
Engineering lecturer Petrina Brennan, who has 22 years’ teaching experience in electrical engineering and teaches that element of the T-level with technical engineering curriculum leader Scott Nash, said there had been a rigorous interview process to select the students.
She said: “I think the students are very driven. They have come in with higher grades and they have the commitment and desire to learn, they are always on time and are a dynamic bunch.
“Teaching the T-level there are lots of different components to learn as it is a broad scope of engineering. Each tutor who teaches them is a specialist in their own area.”
She added a T-level gives students more hands-on experience and that the industry placement will help them take a step forward into employment.
The course covers 17 components including electronics, mechanical systems, mechatronics, computer aided design and manufacture and business.
Evan Bee, 17, said he was enjoying the programme so far, he added: “Everyone contributes to the class, it’s a small group and everyone is getting on,” he said. “I had already heard about T-levels when I started my A-levels at UVHS but the engineering one was not yet available.
“The T level offered what I was looking for as it was more subject-based in engineering, I prefer practical stuff so I felt like it was a better fit for me because I want to get a higher apprenticeship at BAE.”
Bryn Southward, 18, got good grades in his A-levels in English language, English literature and music in Ulverston but felt he had always wanted to go into engineering as a career.
He said: “I originally wanted to do something with an engineering focus and had applied to Sellafield but somehow just went along with sixth form.
“The T-level is the perfect fit for me because alongside the practical engineering you learn about business and finance and get the chance to do an industry placement which is what really makes it.”
