Monday 2 October 2023
By Corinne Barker, Director of Curriculum at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
As we embark on T Levels Week 2023, we are looking back on our T Level journey so far and appreciating the exciting opportunities these new qualifications have offered our students.
Since we began delivering T Levels in 2020, we have embraced these new qualifications as a way to equip our students with industry skills and experience, alongside the theoretical knowledge gained from their classroom studies.
As a result, our students have gained valuable, hands-on experience working with a range of employers across the District, such as Wakefield District Housing, Safe n Sound Day Nursery in Featherstone and more.
We have also built industry-standard facilities across our colleges, ensuring that our students’ transition from the classroom to real-life working scenarios is seamless. This includes high-tech computing labs, hospital ward simulation areas, state-of-the-art Engineering and Construction workshops and newly developed Early Years rooms.
In 2022-2023, we achieved a 100% pass rate for our T Level programmes and are incredibly proud of our T Level students and what they have achieved. 71% of students progressed onto Higher Education courses at The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, and all the remaining students within the group have secured employment within their chosen sector.
These results, coupled with the positive experiences that our students have echoed, showcase the significant benefits of T Levels in giving students a head start in their chosen careers.
I received amazing support from all my tutors and the course helped me overcome my anxiety. I will be staying on here at the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group to start a FdA in Young Children’s Learning and Development and hope to go on and become a Primary School teacher.
The Industry Placement on my course really helped build my confidence and gave me a true feel of the world of work. As a result of my course, I have secured a job as a Teaching Assistant, and I can’t wait to get started.
Learners can study a wide range of subjects across Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, including:
- Building Services Engineering for Construction Electrotechnical Engineering, Electrical Installation and Plumbing & Heating Installation courses - Selby College
- Business (Management & Administration) – Wakefield College
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - Castleford College
- Digital Production, Design & Development (Software Development) – Wakefield College
- Digital Support Services - Selby College
- Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction - Castleford College
- Education & Early Years (Early Years Educator) – Selby College and Wakefield College
- Health - Selby College and Wakefield College
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing – Castleford College
These pioneering new qualifications have been designed in collaboration with leading employers to provide the skills that businesses across the region need. The subject areas on offer reflect some of the top business growth areas such as digital skills, education and engineering and manufacturing.
Equivalent to three A Levels, T Levels focus on technical and vocational skills and help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
Students spend around 80% of their time in college and 20% of their time in an Industry Placement, giving them the opportunity to kick-start their career by combining a recognised qualification with real-life industry experience.
