College leading the way
THE return of students and children to colleges has coincided with the launch of the government’s new T-level courses.
September has seen the region’s colleges introduce the new qualification which is the equivalent of three A levels. The two-year courses have been designed in partnership with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for employment.
T-levels include a 45-day work placement and incorporate a more vocational pathway compared to traditional A-levels. Courses currently on offer include subjects such as digital production design and development, education and childcare and design surveying and planning for construction.
T-levels to be introduced in 2021 include health and healthcare science, digital business services and onsite construction. Plans are also in place to develop the courses to cover other industries such as the media, hair and beauty, agriculture, animal care and catering.
Speaking about the launch of the new qualifications, education secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘T-levels will radically shake up technical education as we know it.
‘From the very start, we’ve worked hand in hand with further education providers and leading employers to ensure these courses will give young people the skills and experience to land them great jobs and provide employers with the workforce they need to make sure this country continues to thrive on the global stage.’
Leading the launch of the T-level courses is Havant and South Downs College (HSDC) which is currently the only post-16 provider in Hampshire to offer all three available courses in education and childcare, digital and construction.
Speaking following the launch of the new courses, the college’s deputy principal and head of South Downs Campus Richard Barlow commented: ‘It has been fantastic to see our first groups of T-level students working hard in their new spaces on the campus, supported by our staff and our partner employers.
‘T-levels are genuinely the qualification of the future, created with employers to ensure that the skills and knowledge our students develop are the most relevant for them to access fantastic careers.
“With even more T-levels launching in September 2021, this exciting journey for future young professionals is just beginning and I look forward to welcoming even more young people to study T-levels with us in the future.’
After tackling his first
HSDC students take part in their first T-level education and childcare lesson
week’s challenge of looking at how to redevelop a derelict site in Eastney, construction T-level student Alfie Nutbeam was impressed with the new course.
Alfie said: ‘The first week has been good because the course is very interactive, there is a lot of relatable content to keep you interested.’
Fellow construction student Charlie Bruce added:
‘The first week was fun - everyone is friendly and the classwork was interesting.’
Many students at the college opted for T-levels due to the balance between academic education and vocational training.
Digital student Joe Harper, 16, commented: ‘I decided to go down the T-level route rather than traditional A-levels as I think it provides a good balance rather than going straight into an apprenticeship.’
Classmate Chloe Knowles, 16, added: ‘I am really looking forward to being able to do a work placement.
“I chose this course rather than A-levels as I think it provides more of an insight into the world of work.’
Principal Mike Gaston welcomes education secretary Gavin Williamson to Havant and South Downs College
Earlier this year, education secretary Gavin Williamson revealed the government was investing £110m in developing the T-level programme to enable colleges to develop industrial standard equipment and facilities for students to use.
Speaking at the announcement, Mr Williamson said: ‘T-levels will play a vital role in our drive to unlock talent and level up skills across the country.
‘This cash injection will make sure more T-level providers and their staff are ready to teach the new qualifications, so young people have access to the high-quality teaching, first-class facilities and industry standard equipment they need to succeed.’
After successfully bidding for £1.3m of this funding, Havant and South Downs College has used the money to renovate part of its South Downs campus for the introduction of its new T-level subjects.
Principal and chief executive officer Mike Gaston said: ‘It is exciting news that we are one of the 180 colleges to receive this funding.
“Our South Downs campus now has state-of-the-art provision for our new T-level students and this funding will help us move one step further toward realising our threeyear estate improvement strategy across all three of our campuses.’
A fundamental principle of the course is the involvement of local businesses.
Mr Gaston added: ‘We have strong links with businesses in the area. We have consulted local employers to ensure we are equipping students with skills needed by local businesses.’
As one of the country's flagship colleges for T-levels, HSDC was recently visited by Mr Williamson.
He said: ‘I have been incredibly impressed by HSDC who have strong leadership and are making a real difference to young people in the local community.
‘It is part of our strategy to provide a college education system which is truly worldclass.’
Fareham College has also welcomed its first cohort of Tlevel students to study education and childcare and digital production design and development.
There are currently three T-levels available to study nationally, with a further seven available from 2021. A further 15 T-levels are set to follow in 2022 and 2023.