T Levels: Make or break for Manufacturers?
New report on T Levels shows lack of awareness, threatening roll out
Britain’s manufacturers are urging the Government to work more closely with business on new reforms to technical education or, risk repeating the same mistakes over the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy which was rushed in without proper consultation.
The call comes on the back of a new survey by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation which shows a significant lack of awareness amongst Industry about the proposed new T levels, as well as concerns about how key elements of the reforms will be implemented in practice.
The new T levels are due to be introduced in engineering and manufacturing in 2022 and are intended to replace technical qualifications as an equivalent to A levels.
The aim is to simplify the landscape for vocational qualifications and provide a route into skilled employment after two years’ study. They will be made up of five key elements and include mandatory work placements.
Industry supports the introduction of T levels which have the potential to boost technical education and create a credible vocational education route for young people and deliver the practical and technical skills industry so desperately needs.
However, the introduction of T levels is another fundamental change to our education system which has been subject to constant chop and change, often leaving employers bemused. Currently, there is a worrying lack of awareness amongst industry with low levels of knowledge even amongst those who have heard of them.
