Teach-Secondary-Issue-14.5

No more ‘Plan B’ No one should be dismissing T Levels and apprenticeships as a ‘fallback option’, says Jade Kelly ... F or too long, T Levels and apprenticeships have been seen as ‘alternatives’ – pathways for students who don’t quite fit the traditional academic route. But it’s a narrative that’s changing before our eyes. These programmes are no longer being seen as merely plan B, but are fast becoming the favoured choice for a growing number of students, educators and employers. Nowhere has this shift been more powerful than in D&T, where hands-on learning and real-world placements are unlocking futures, building confidence, and helping students seize on career opportunities they’d never previously imagined. Fromtraction to action What was once a fresh idea is now amovement that’s shaping the future. T Levels and apprenticeships have moved beyond trials and talk to delivering real results, and ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jade Kelly is a work placement coordinator at Middlesbrough College TTE the creation of genuine opportunities for students and businesses alike. With over 25,000 students enrolled in T Levels across England in 2023 (a number that’s set to double by 2026), plus more than 12,000 apprenticeship starts in the Northeast last year, it’s clear that this is no passing trend. Colleges across Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland and beyond are not just championing these programmes, but embedding them into the very fabric of education and driving new employer partnerships that benefit everyone. In turn, employers are gaining motivated, work-ready talent. Students are able to gain life-changing experience and skills. The region is able to benefit as a whole. Transformations you can feel The beauty of T Levels and apprenticeships is how clearly they can transformyoung lives. Students who once lacked direction are now leading design projects, developing prototypes and confidently delivering presentations to clients. D&T learners in the Northeast are thriving in various placements and apprenticeships, helping to create sustainable 3D printing products, shape architectural visions and develop engineering solutions. This impact isn’t just academic – it’s personal. Employers are seeing an immediate difference. Families are celebrating students’ achievements, and the students themselves are building careers where they feel they belong. Aseamless pathway One particularly powerful aspect of T Levels is how they can act as a stepping stone into apprenticeships, and create a smooth transition from education to full-time employment. Many employers are using T Level placements on a ‘try before you buy’ basis, allowing them to evaluate students’ skills, work ethic and cultural fit before offering themapprenticeships or permanent roles. As well as reducing recruitment risks and cutting training costs, the process lets businesses invest in talent they’ve already nurtured. Apprenticeships can then deepen these relationships further, providing structured on-the-job learning with ongoing academic support, thus turning capable T Level students into highly skilled professionals aligned to a company’s specific needs. Beyond engineering D&T skills can also open doors far beyond traditional engineering. From sustainable tech and architecture, to digital media and the creative industries, the possibilities on offer are vast. The Northeast, with its rich industrial heritage and rapidly expanding clean energy, advancedmanufacturing and digital technology sectors, is already perfectly placed to offer an exciting range of careers. The next few years are set to see explosive growth, with new T Level subjects launching in healthcare, media and legal services. There are also signs of increased engagement from more local businesses – notably SMEs – accompanied by expanded access routes for rural and under-represented students, as well as increased investment in facilities and staff training. By 2030, T Levels and apprenticeships will form the backbone of the country’s technical education, with the Northeast leading the charge. We can expect tomorrow’s brightest engineers, designers and innovators to have come up through hands-on, industry- connected routes like T Levels and apprenticeships. Businesses that engage now will likely gain a competitive advantage, having nurtured a skilled workforce deeply attuned to their needs. Schools’ message for businesses should be that offering placements and apprenticeships amounts to more thanmere CSR; it’s a valuable investment their company’s future, and an effective means of actively shaping their workforce for decades to come. ATEESSIDE SUCCESS STORY BC&TConsultants in Stockton has embraced the ‘T Level to apprenticeship’ pathwaywholeheartedly.As JoeMelville, the company’s engineeringmanager, explains,“ We wanted to grow our own future engineers and sawTLevels as the perfect stepping stone. Students like Jack,who complete theirT Level placements, are offered apprenticeships with us. ” Jackmade an immediate impact.As Joe recalls,“ Right fromthe start,Jack supported live projects with design and engineering input.His work ethic and skill have even led himto apply for professional registrationwith the Institute of EngineeringandTechnology and attain EngTech [EngineeringTechnician] status – a huge achievement.” 37 teachwire.net/secondary D & T