“There is resounding support for T Levels, a genuine desire to make them work and an excitement around the difference they will make”.  This is the conclusion made by Damian Hinds, the Secretary of State for Education, in the government’s much-anticipated response to its T Level consultation.  We can expect further consultation and details to follow, but the main findings from the public consultation include:

• The DfE must be clear about the purpose and the target audience for T Levels.  A consultation on the outline content for the first three T Level areas has been launched.
• T Levels must be rigorous and add value for employers.
• Industry placements – as they are now named - are important but will be challenging.
• There is support for a transition period offering support and progression to Level 3.
• Support for the infrastructure behind T Levels is required with the DfE committing £20 million over the next two years to upskill the FE workforce.  It’s been confirmed that the full roll-out of T Levels will now stretch beyond the original 2022 schedule.
• There is agreement to simplification of the existing technical education system, but only where this does not leave gaps in high quality provision.  The DfE has confirmed reviews of other qualifications to remove anything that isn’t “truly necessary” – it will proceed with a review of: other Level 3 qualifications (with the exception of A Levels which have already been reviewed); post-16 Level 2 and below qualifications; and in a new addition, non-GCSE provision for 14-16 year olds.
  

• Want to start a course with broad knowledge about their chosen sector then gradually focus on specialist skills.
• Would like a series of tasters in different sectors before they have to decide on one of them.
• Find the prospect of industry placements the most attractive aspect but worry that there will not be enough good employers offering placements in their local area.  
• Would like the option of going on to university.  The DfE say that T Levels will attract UCAS points and that they are working with HE providers to facilitate progression from T Levels to relevant HE courses only in similar disciplines. The DfE has confirmed that students will be able to take an A Level alongside their T Level.