The government has revealed the first 52 colleges and post-16 providers to teach the construction T Level course, a new technical qualification that it hopes will ready young people for the industry.
Designed to be on a par with A levels, courses in construction, digital, and education and childcare will first be taught from September 2020.
They contain a three-month compulsory industry placement.
A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover sectors such as engineering and manufacturing, finance and accounting, and creative & design.
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Responding to the government’s T Level consultation, also published yesterday, education secretary Damian Hinds said: “T Levels represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to reform technical education in this country so we can rival the world’s best performing systems.
“Technology and the world economy are fast-changing, and we need to make sure our young people have the skills they need to get the jobs of tomorrow. This is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
The T Levels consultation sought views from across business and education, including from construction firms such as Skanska.
The government said that the first three T Levels, co-created with employers, would ensure that young people “get the right knowledge and skills needed to get a skilled job”.
Mark Lawton, construction T level panel member at Skanska said: “We continue to support efforts which increase the accessibility of opportunities to people from all backgrounds – helping to develop a more diverse and inclusive industry.”
David Hughes, chief executive, of the Association of Colleges said: “The introduction of T Levels as part of a wider reform of technical and professional education is vital for a more inclusive and successful economy.
“The implementation plan sets out a good package of reforms that should help to improve the prestige and the take-up of technical professional education. The plan recognises the need for real clarity of purpose, strong alignment with employers and the labour market, better understanding amongst schools and investment in colleges to be able to deliver.”
