The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has published its T Level progression profilesshowing how these technical qualifications lead into the relevant apprenticeship, higher education, or vocational pathways.
T Levels are the new two-year courses taken after GCSEs, broadly equivalent to 3 A Levels. These are vocational qualifications to offer practical and knowledge-based learning, with a minimum of 45 days of industry placement as a mandatory part of the programme to learn about an occupation on the job as well as in the classroom.
IfATE worked with employers, providers and industry experts to identify the range of progression options available following completion of a T Level, aligned with their occupational maps. This includes mapping content that is common to each T Level and its associated occupational standards. The Department for Education has also been working with higher education providers to identify options for progression into higher education.
The JIB’s position has always been to promote the recognised industry standards which form the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) framework in each occupational discipline, and to ensure any routes such as T Levels are recognised as potential entry routes into industry, but do not necessarily lead to qualified or skilled status without further development, training and in particular, vocational experience and assessment. T Levels were specifically designed on the same standards as apprenticeships with the intention that students completing T Levels can then go on to the relevant apprenticeship.
This work by IfATE is important as it shows how T Levels can lead into existing industry structures, giving information to learners about their potential career routes into the built environment. Also, the mapping indicates those areas which need further development before full competence standard is reached in that occupation and whether a learner may be able to complete an apprenticeship in a reduced timeframe due to the application of recognised prior learning (RPL). This is determined by an initial assessment of the learner by the relevant training provider. Additional information indicating the areas for further development has also been included by IfATE to support this initial assessment on the link above.
The profiles will evolve as T Levels and occupational standards are updated and as IfATE continues to engage with employers, providers and industry experts. The JIB will continue to support IfATE, the Department for Education and others to raise the bar on standards across the electrotechnical industry and encourage skills development and upskilling for contractors and individuals. To find out more about the occupational structure for different occupations under the ECS, see the various card types here.
Employers interested in finding out more about industry placements can contact 08000 150 600, email tlevel.placement@education.gov.uk or visit the T Levels and industry placement support for employers website.