LEVELLING UP: PROVIDING WORLD CLASS SKILLS FOR BUSINESS

Elaine Bowker Principal and CEO at The City of Liverpool College

In today’s climate, there is no doubt that those who are leaving education need to be equipped with the skills, experience and knowledge that will let them hit the ground running when they enter the world of work.

I’m a firm believer that curriculum must be designed with industry in mind, to ensure we’re able to provide businesses with the skilled workers they need to help them grow, and to allow those who are just starting out in their careers to thrive and have the best possible chance of success.

The new T Level qualification aims to do just that. T Levels have been created to provide young people with the skills they need to enter the world of work and develop talent to support the economy’s recovery. They will support our economy to address the skills gap, to drive up productivity, raise aspirations and, as a result, support social mobility.

They have been created in collaboration with industry experts so that they are genuinely relevant to the needs of industry, and businesses know that T Level students have been trained in the specific skills needed to grow their workforces. They are a key part of the Government’s reforms to revolutionise skills and technical education, generating the skilled workforce that businesses need for the future and giving students the experience they need to progress into well-paid jobs or further study.

At The City of Liverpool College, we will be delivering 18 T Levels, a unique element of which will be the completion of a high-quality industry placement – of at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days – where students will build knowledge and skills and develop confidence within the workplace environment, helping to kickstart their careers.

They offer local businesses an excellent chance to nurture and build a skilled talent pipeline for the future, while helping to level up opportunities as we recover from the pandemic. Students gain vital hands-on experience and invaluable insight of the world of work, setting them up for success in the next steps of their career. What’s more, employers will be able to claim a £1,000 cash boost for every T Level student they host on a highquality industry placement.

There is understandably a huge amount of confusion and uncertainty for young people who are looking at their next steps, so it’s fantastic that we’re able to provide more options for them to find a path that is right for them.

If you would like to find out how your business could benefit from partnering with The City of Liverpool College, or to find out more about how you can get involved with T Levels, contact workforceskills@liv-coll.ac.uk.

I’m a firm believer that curriculum must be designed with industry in mind, to ensure we’re able to provide businesses with the skilled workers they need to help them grow, and to allow those who are just starting out in their careers to thrive and have the best possible chance of success.