Bournemouth & Poole College is set to introduce a series of T Levels for the first time in September and has confirmed that more than 30 employers are already signed up to support the new post-16 courses.
The College will be introducing T Level courses in education and childcare as well as digital and computing. Employers confirmed to support these courses include Caterpillar Marine Power UK Ltd, VR Centre and Top Bananas Pre-School.
T Levels are the equivalent to three A Levels, focusing on technical and vocational skills, and are aimed at helping students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each two-year course will combine classroom study with an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 45 days, giving students valuable experience in the workplace, while employers get early sight of new talent.
Danielle Halliday, HR manager Marine from Caterpillar Marine Power UK Ltd commented, “We are excited to support this programme and to be involved at the early stages of the new T Levels. Studying alongside company placements is effective in establishing a career. We have worked alongside The College on the Apprenticeship programme for several years, and many young adults have gone on to have successful careers within Caterpillar Marine Power UK Ltd.”
Phil Sayles, principal at Bournemouth & Poole College, added: “We’re incredibly proud to offer these latest qualifications to 16- to 19-year-olds from the autumn. T Levels are an excellent route into University, onto a degree apprenticeship or into some outstanding careers. We’ve been working hard, talking to local employers, to ensure we have exciting industry placement partnerships confirmed. These placements will give students the opportunity to put their learning into practice so they can really understand their chosen industry.
“By injecting young talent into an experienced workforce, the employer benefits from new ideas and ways of working and it also gives them an opportunity to nurture the skills needed within their particular workforce. T Levels are very much employer-led qualifications and it’s important that we continue to build long-standing relationships with local firms to help create a fully qualified, well-trained, and highly-skilled workforce of the future.”
For further details about the T Level courses available and to enrol, please visit www.thecollege.co.uk/T-Levels