Bury College is marking the first birthday of the new T Level qualifications and from next academic year, is offering further subjects to post-16 level students. These high-quality technical courses, equivalent to three A levels, are now available to students across 6 subjects:

• Digital Production, Design and Development
• Digital Support Services
• Education and Childcare
• Engineering and Manufacturing, Design and Development
• Health
• Management and Administration

The 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 also reflect some of the top local business growth areas such as digital skills, and health care.  

T Levels are unique as they combine classroom study with industry placements so young people gain valuable work experience in their chosen sector. Many local businesses are embracing T Levels as a great way to bring in new ideas and the latest skills and as a new way to find, nurture and secure young talent.

Industry placements are core to the make-up of T Levels and see students spend an extended period (a minimum of 45 days) in a work environment to gain hands-on experience and learn vital technical skills.

Vernon Shaw, Curriculum Director for Construction & Technologies, said, “Our T Level courses provide Bury College students with a very different post-16 study opportunity, where they are able to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours for specific occupations, for example, Adult Nursing.  The industry placements will prove invaluable to learners on these courses as they start to gain experience in the workplace and an awareness of what they need to do to progress their careers.

The next two years will see the introduction of more T Levels as they become available, so that the College technical education provision is fully responsive to local and national labour needs.”