According to the DfE, these reforms will further expand opportunities, ensuring even more learners gain the skills needed to support this government’s priorities of growing the economy and reduce the country’s reliance on migrant labour to plug skills gaps.
In line with industry trends and real-life hybrid working practices, most students will now be able to complete up to 20 per cent of their placement hours remotely, rather than having to do them from a physical workplace, with the allowance increased to 50 per cent for Digital T Levels.
T Levels are technical qualifications equivalent in value to three A levels. They include a 45-day industry placement, giving young people workplace experience in fields including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, early years education and digital technology.
With skills shortages across the country, Skills England is aiming to tackle the UK economy’s overreliance on immigration, while the Work and Pensions Secretary has announced a White Paper with the biggest reforms to employment support for a generation, backed by a £240m investment and aimed at getting more young people into work and onto a career path.
The number of students taking T Levels has increased every year since they were launched. Over 16,000 students started a T Level in the 2023/24 academic year - almost as many students as in the first three cohorts combined.
Today also marks the end of T Level Celebration Week (December 2-6, 2024), celebrating the successes of young people, providers and employers across the country.
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In a statement, Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “We are cutting red tape to make it easier than ever for employers and providers to take part in T Level Industry Placements while ensuring students benefit from meaningful, high-quality experiences.
“We’ve listened to businesses and these changes reflect what they need to help them offer T Levels and our missions of boosting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
“Whether it’s offering remote placements in the fast-evolving digital sector or enabling more simulated environments for industries like engineering, we’re giving students more opportunities to gain the skills and experience they need for their future careers.”
The DfE said that increased flexibility will also benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often face barriers like limited office space, growing the pool of potential employers and create more opportunities for students.
Likewise, placements will no longer be restricted to the specific T Level subject being studied by students.
By updating placement guidelines, T Levels are staying ahead of workplace trends, ensuring students gain practical experience in dynamic, evolving industries, the Government said.
