Reforms to technical education are ambitious but could be game-changing. That’s the message from a joint report from the Collab Group of large FE colleges and labour market analytics company Emsi.

The report examines the issues behind T Levels such as: how can T Levels be designed to target gaps in key industries; how can employers gear up to deliver industry placements; and how can learners be convinced of the value of T Levels?

Using data analysis and interviews with employers to inform its conclusions, the report considers four areas critical to the success of T Levels:

• Employability skills
• Local labour market alignment
• Industry placements
• Student engagement.

The Collab Group believes that flexibility within T Levels could give them much-needed currency for employers and learners, and that making the link from T Levels to employability will provide opportunities, make them a success and raise the profile of technical education.