Lots of talk about T levels lately. Are they new qualifications or just a way to ‘tidy up’ existing vocational education?

What are T Levels?

T Levels are not qualifications in themselves in the same way as individual A-levels are. T Levels is a term being used to describe the 15 technical routes that will be available. Within these 15 routes there are likely to be many qualifications, grouped according to the pathway.

Who are T Levels for?

T Levels will be for 16 – 19 year olds. So when you get to 16 – you will choose between the academic and the technical route.

When will T Levels be available?

First teaching of T Levels is planned for September 2019. Not all T levels will be available at this time. Others will be introduced at later stages.

What will you be able to do T Levels in?

There will be 15 new technical routes, each of which will be designed in partnership with employers to make sure that they include learning and training in areas and skills which are needed in industry.

1. The agriculture, environment and animal care route
2. The business and administrative route
3. The catering and hospitality route
4. The childcare and education route
5. The construction route
6. The creative and design route
7. The digital route
8. The engineering and manufacturing route
9. The hair and beauty route
10. The health and science route
11. The legal, finance and accountancy route
12. The protective services route
13. The sales, marketing and procurement route
14. The social care route
15. The transport and logistics route

It does look as if new qualifications will be developed to supply each of these technical routes with the teaching and learning content needed but there are no details out there as yet as to when these will be available to look at.