Many are calling the first cohort of T Level students ‘trailblazers’ as they embark on the new qualifications launched by the Government in September 2020.
These two–year technical courses provide school leavers with a respected qualification that are an alternative to A Levels and have been developed with the support of businesses and employers. During a T Level, students spend 80 percent of their time in classroom learning and 20 percent at an ‘on-the-job’ industry placement.
Principal & CEO Andy Berry said,
T Levels are pioneering a transformation to education in the UK, and BTC is very proud to be a part of it. I was excited to welcome the new cohort in September, and am delighted to say that both staff and students have adjusted to the College’s blended learning approach during the pandemic, and are set to achieve outstanding results.
I am also grateful to businesses such as Willmott Dixon, Midas, Copper Dot Marketing and others who are supporting our students by offering them placements and recognise the significance of these new qualifications in preparing the workforce of the future.
Based at the Taunton campus, the College is currently providing three subjects, namely Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction, Digital Production, Design & Development, and Education & Childcare. In September 2021, the offer will expand to include Health (Nursing), Digital Business Services and Building Services Engineering for Construction.
After an initial investment of £1.6 million to the College’s Taunton campus, BTC recently secured an additional £1.2 million. This funding will be used to create a Health Faculty to house students studying the Health (Nursing) T Level, and BTC’s vision is to become one of the first colleges in the country offering degree-related pathways in this field. This will provide students with the opportunity to progress into a degree in nursing or other associated professions.
Vanessa Hughes, Head of A Levels, Computing & Business commented,
Our students are enjoying their studies and looking forward using their learning in the workplace. Due to the balance of academic content and practical experience, and the high level of collaboration with employers when developing each T Level, I am excited to play my part in preparing our students for their chosen industry.
These ‘gold standard’ technical qualifications are supported by a ‘transition programme’ that provides students with an opportunity to develop the foundations of knowledge and experience prior to commencing a T Level.
Digital Course Leader, Dave Matravers reflects,
T Level students are progressing very well and we’ve enriched their learning by hosting online guest speakers from the MoD and EDF who explained how the skills the students are learning can be used in the digital industry.
Students have really embraced online learning and are continuing to develop their skills; particularly around Python programming in preparation for their Industry Placements and external examinations.
T Level student Gareth Searle, who joined BTC from Court Fields School commented,
I particularly enjoy the Python, HTML programming and coding sessions, as I like computational thinking and seeing what you can create with just a few lines of code. My tutors are friendly, funny and understanding. They have given me lots to think about and helped me accomplish things I never thought I would.
