T-Levels
Why Training Providers Should Get Involved with T Levels
T Levels are a pioneering qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds in England who have completed their GCSEs. Created with employers and for employers, T Levels offer a high-quality alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, equipping young people with the technical, practical, and professional skills that businesses need most.
For training providers, delivering T Levels presents an opportunity to play a key role in bridging the skills gap, strengthening employer partnerships, and preparing students for successful, sustainable careers.
Designed to Meet Employer and Industry Needs
The government has worked closely with hundreds of employers to design T Level courses that directly respond to real-world skills shortages. Each two-year programme combines classroom-based learning with substantial industry experience, ensuring students graduate with the knowledge, attitude, and technical expertise to thrive in the workplace.
At the core of every T Level is an industry placement, a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) completed either through block release or day release. This partnership between providers and employers ensures that young people gain genuine, practical experience in a professional setting.
Benefits of Delivering T Levels as a Training Provider
By offering T Levels, your organisation can:
- Enhance employer engagement by collaborating directly with local and national businesses to co-design and deliver relevant, high-impact qualifications.
- Strengthen your curriculum offer, expanding beyond traditional A levels and vocational courses to include an employer-led technical qualification.
- Build strong career pathways for learners, supporting their transition into apprenticeships, higher education, or skilled employment.
- Increase your institution’s reputation for providing practical, future-focused training aligned with industry needs.
- Develop staff expertise through deeper collaboration with industry mentors and emerging technologies.
By supporting businesses to host industry placements, providers become connectors between education and employment, helping both learners and employers succeed.
T Levels vs. Apprenticeships: Understanding the Difference
While T Levels and apprenticeships both focus on work-based learning, they serve slightly different purposes:
- T Levels balance classroom learning and industry experience, preparing students for work, higher education, or further training.
- Apprenticeships involve full-time employment, with roughly 80% on-the-job training and 20% classroom learning, best suited for learners ready to earn while they train.
T Level graduates can progress into accelerated apprenticeships, as their prior learning is formally recognised. This can shorten the duration of an apprenticeship and reduce training costs for employers.
How to Get Involved
Training providers can register to deliver T Levels and access support, funding guidance, and resources to help them successfully integrate these qualifications into their curriculum.
If you are a student, visit the T Levels website where you can enter your postcode to find colleges, schools, or other providers offering T Levels.
As a parent / carer, there is a dedicated microsite with T Level resources for parents and carers.
If you are a provider, you can register to deliver T Levels.
