Two Enterprise M3 colleges will be among the first in the country to offer the new, ground-breaking T Level qualifications from September next year.
Farnborough College of Technology and Peter Symonds College, Winchester, were both selected by the Government to deliver the courses following expression of interest exercises. Both will offer an
Education & Childcare T Level, with a Digital T Level also provided by Farnborough, to the student intake of 2020/21.
T Levels are the result of a major shake-up of education choices post-16, with the Government determined that they will be on a par with A levels for prestige. T Levels will offer a world-class, high-level, technical route into skilled employment and include English, maths and digital components.
Students will be granted a high-calibre industrial placement, lasting at least 45 days, and be mentored by employers who will have been closely involved in the course content.
For the organisation, it gives you an opportunity to get to know the individual and they get to see the culture of the organisation, as well as getting to know you. Also, it’s not just about investing in new staff but also developing your current workforce as they will be mentoring and supporting the new person but also sharing their expertise with them. Industry placements help with diversity and creativity in the workforce, as the young people will come with fresh ideas. Not only that, but it raises the aspirations of young people in our local community.
My main message would be that the talent is on our doorstep so embrace it and support it. I’m a great advocate of the T Levels and what it will mean for our future workforce
On its website, Farnborough College of Technology, announced: “We will soon be one of the first colleges in the country to offer technical levels (T Levels) – an alternative to A Levels and apprenticeships.
“Help us train tomorrow’s workforce – become an Industry Placement Partner with Farnborough College of Technology. There has never been a better time to get involved in shaping the workforce of tomorrow so why not start working with us – your local college. Our courses prepare students for careers in the creative, IT, engineering, business, construction, health, science, and service industries.”
It adds that the benefits to employers include:
- Cost-effectively reaching and developing talented students with a view to potentially recruiting them – before other organisations do
- Playing a role in resolving the UK’s skill shortage
- Trialling students before considering them for an apprenticeship or employment
- Developing aspiring managers through the coaching or mentorship of a student
- Having an extra pair of hands and a fresh perspective in the workplace
- Feeling supported and belonging to a new network of employers. We will be in regular contact with you, ensure students have an existing knowledge of your industry, and minimise the amount of admin work needed on your part
Education Secretary Damian Hinds has said that T Levels are “a once in a lifetime opportunity to reform technical education in this country so we can rival the world’s best performing systems”.
T Levels will support the growth aims in Enterprise M3 LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan and Local Industrial Strategy, by ensuring residents and employees have the high-level skills that businesses require to grow. There are currently concerns that a skills shortage could impede economic expansion in the region.
From 1 April 2024, the responsibility for LEP functions across the Enterprise M3 LEP region has transferred to Hampshire County Council and Surrey County Council.
The Enterprise M3 Board met for the last time in March 2024 and Enterprise M3 LEP is no longer operating as an organisation.
For any enquiries relating to economic development across the counties of Hampshire and Surrey, please visit the Hampshire County Council website and Business Surrey respectively.
Please note that Enterprise M3 LEP staff have transferred to Hampshire County Council to continue to deliver services and activities in Hampshire, including the Growth Hub, the Careers Hub, work on key business sectors, and trade and investment.
They can be contacted at economic.development@hants.gov.uk.
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