10 November 2023 - T Level Newsletter
This week's newsletter includes updates on:
- Advanced British Standard – information for T Level providers and their teams
- Industry Placement – Employer Support Fund
- Help needed: Legal Services T Level
- Calling all providers that offer T Levels in construction!
- Post-16 Qualifications Review Regional Provider Events
- Help us to improve information to students about Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) so they can get the skills employers need
- AoC upcoming events
- Awarding Organisations updates
Advanced British Standard – information for T Level providers and their teams
Earlier this week, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon, sent a letter and to all T Level providers regarding the Advanced British Standard (ABS) – a new baccalaureate-style qualification which will combine the best of the A level and T Level.
The letter and accompanying toolkit will support providers with any upcoming open days and wider conversations with staff, existing T Level students and other interested parties.
More information and the toolkit can be found here.
Industry Placement – Employer Support Fund
As a reminder the Employer Support Fund, designed to support employers with legitimate costs incurred when offering an industry placement, is now live. Placements must begin before 31 March 2024 to be eligible for funding.
As part of our evaluation of the fund, it is vital providers submit evidence of payments made to employers via our Employer Support Fund Online Tool in a timely manner and encourage employers to share impact statements of how the ESF has supported them via employer.supportfund@education.gov.uk.
Help needed: Legal Services T Level
There are currently no providers in Essex offering the Legal Services T Level, however, we know that there are a number of colleges that are interested in delivering this T Level.
On 21st November Emma Curtis from the Commissioner for Skills Development Office is hosting a Team’s discussion to allow providers in Essex to hear from those that are or about to offer the Legal Services T Level.
If anyone can assist, please do get in touch: emma.curtis@essex.gov.uk
Calling all providers that offer T Levels in construction!
DfE and Screwfix are partnering to promote T Levels and increase the number of industry placements for students as part of a campaign to promote careers in the trade industry.
We hope this ambitious collaboration will enable you to tap into the network of Screwfix trade customers as a source of industry placements and help bridge the construction skills gap in the UK.
We are offering a workshop to provide you with more details about the Screwfix campaign and how you can actively participate. Please register your interest here and secure your place at the workshop on 22nd November 2023.
Post-16 Qualifications Review Regional Provider Events
The Qualifications Review team are hosting a series of regional events which provide an overview of the vision for the post-16 qualifications system, to highlight in more detail the future options and pathways for students at levels 2 and 3, and to equip you with a better knowledge and support so to aid your planning and prepare for the changes from 2024 onwards.
The events will also provide you with the opportunity to ask questions, network with other colleges and providers and discuss the implementation of the reforms.
We are holding two events in each city, the first day is aimed at Vice Principals/Strategic Leads and in the afternoon focuses on curriculum strategy. The second day is aimed at Curriculum Leads and the afternoon session takes a deep dive into planning for three pathways – digital, health and construction.
We still have spaces available in some regions and there is a waiting list for each event which you can join if it is full.
Please access the following links to register:
Vice Principals events:
Curriculum Leads events:
We are also planning to hold a wash-up event in the new year, we will share the event details soon.
Help us to improve information to students about Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) so they can get the skills employers need
We want students to make the best choices for their future. The Department for Education and our research partner, Kantar Public, would like your help to improve the information students receive about Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs). HTQs are a post-18 option for students, delivered at universities and colleges, that are job-focused and designed to provide the skills employers need.
We want providers of Level 3 qualifications to take part in this exciting opportunity to find out what engages your students to make informed choices, and to help them make the best decision for their future. Taking part is easy and we will supply all the materials you will need.
Express your interest by 30 November.
AoC upcoming events
T Level Masterclass: Top Tips for Employer Engagement (Schools/Small Providers)
Date: Thursday 16th November
Time: 15:30-16:30
Description: This online masterclass will equip you with effective strategies for engaging employers, ‘Top Tips’ for activities spanning both short-term and long-term horizons, and the insights shared by knowledgeable guest speakers with a wealth of experience in this field.
Register for this event here
Provider Insight Day – City College Norwich
Date: Wednesday 29th November
Time: 9:30-15:00
Description: This event offers a unique opportunity for those currently planning their T Level programmes to gain valuable insights from experienced T Level providers. In these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to gain insights from staff and participants who will share their experiences in overcoming challenges. Additionally, you will also get the chance to take a guided tour of our facilities.
Register for this event here
Awarding Organisations updates
IfATE:
Updates for T Levels in Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care:
W4 Animal Care and Management T Level- Name Changes for Occupational Specialisms:
Please note the following name changes to the Occupational Specialisms:
- Animal Care and Management becomes: Animal Management and Behaviour
- Animal Care and Science becomes: Animal Management and Science
The T Level title remains the same- Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care: Animal Care & Management.
These changes may take a few weeks to filter across to websites and draft materials, but please be in touch if you see out of date titles: Damien.Patrick@education.gov.uk
Animal Care and Management:
The original outline content included an Occupational Specialism in Equine Care and Management, which linked to the Equine Management standard. As the standard is currently under review, the Occupational Specialism has been paused and will be reviewed for inclusion in the T Level when the revised standard is published.
Agriculture, Land Management & Production (ALMP):
The original outline content included an Occupational Specialism in Habitat Management. This has now been retired permanently and will not form part of the T Level in ALMP. This decision was taken due to a number of factors which meant the Occupational Specialism did not meet the suitability test for the T Level, including deliverability concerns, employer feedback regarding insufficient coverage of the topic to enable threshold competence, and safety and manageability concerns.
T Level Technical Qualifications: Provider Survey: Summer term 2023
The survey deadline has been extended to the 30 November 2023 and IfATE would like to hear from you!
Please click on the link below and complete the short survey.
T Level Technical Qualifications Provider Survey Summer Term 2023 (cognitoforms.com)
IfATE appreciate the time you have taken to complete the survey as your feedback provides valuable insight to improve the services that the Awarding Organisations provide to you.
Pearson:
Pearson’s October E-Bulletin was published and included the following:
- Registrations and Entries
- Q&A Networks and Training events
- T Level Foundation year
- Decoupling
City & Guilds:
In-person core assessment support events for in-delivery centres
In December City & Guilds will be hosting two face-to-face T Level core assessment support events, brought to you by City & Guilds, EAL and ILM. Bringing together centres who are delivering the T Level core to share good practices, this event is free of charge and is aimed at delivery staff delivering the T Level core assessment.
- 19 December, 10.00 GMT Wakefield: Registration
- 20 December, 10.00 GMT London: Registration
T Levels Autumn Series 2023: Invitation to Exam Administration Webinars
In preparation for the T Levels Autumn series of examinations, City & Guilds are hosting webinars within November 2023 which will provide information and instructions regarding their dated exams processes. These webinars are aimed at Exams Officers and invigilators who have responsibility for the completion of exam stationery and management of exam scripts. Providers may have new team members who may benefit from attending one of these webinars for induction and training purposes, or as continuous professional development.
14 November, 14.00 - 15.00 GMT Registration (gotowebinar.com)
22 November, 14.00 - 15.00 GMT Registration (gotowebinar.com)
Learner registration and assessment booking reminders
The registration windows for the below T Level Technical Qualifications (TQs) are still open:
- Building Services Engineering
- Onsite Construction
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Management and Administration
- Agriculture, Land Management and Production
To register your learners, please visit Walled Garden. This is now the late student registration period which runs until 23 December 2023.
Bookings are also open for the summer OS assessments for the below TQs. Bookings should be made via Walled Garden:
- Building Services Engineering
- Onsite Construction
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Management and Administration
Closing dates for the booking windows are available in individual TQ key dates schedules on the T Levels Resource Hub
NCFE:
What you need to know for the T Level autumn assessment series with NCFE
To help you prepare for your students sitting either the core exams or Employer Set Project (ESP) in the autumn assessment series, NCFE is sharing some useful reminders to help ensure these assessments go smoothly.
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