Is there A-Level 4 qualification? Is it envisaged apprentices would eventually be completing this qualification?
T Levels are at Level 3 but there is a progression route onto A-Level 4 in suitable occupations.
How do T Levels progress onto A-Level 3 Apprenticeship Tech Engineering or do they only progress higher?
From a T Level a learner would be able to progress onto A-Level3 Apprenticeship standard such as the Engineering Technician standard.
How many pathways will you be offering in the Engineering and Manufacturing route?
City & Guilds and EAL will deliver all three pathways within the Engineering and Manufacturing route: Design and Development; Maintenance, Installation Repair and Manufacturing Processing and Control.
What will the new TQ be covering?
The TQ consists of an overarching core content and a range of specialist core skills and workplace practices that are relevant to the pathway studied.
Where can I access the outline content for the TQs?
The outline content can be accessed via the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website. Alternatively, you can click directly to the pathway below to access the outline content you need.
Engineering and Manufacturing pathways:
When and how can we get more information about the Technical Qualifications (TQ) for Engineering and Manufacturing?
We will be hosting a series of provider validation panels in the coming months (November to December 2020 and Spring/Summer 2021), so please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
Once approved, the final specification, sample assessment materials, and supporting documentation will be available, and there will be a number of events that you can attend to look at the detail of the content, delivery and assessment from October to December 2021. You can find out more on the T Level webpage.
What are the key differences between T levels and what is on offer with current apprenticeship standards?
T Levels provide learners with a broad set of skills and knowledge where apprenticeships mean you will be fully competent within a specific occupation. Apprentices will be employed by a company whereas a T Level learner will be a full-time student.
You have mentioned the Engineering Technician Standard and the Engineering Fitter Standard, both at level 3 and have mandated qualifications. How will a T Level fit? Is it the same qualification delivered AME L3 Diploma?
There has been an attempt to align the T Level with a number of engineering apprenticeship standards. Some standards have mandatory qualifications and some don’t. The T Level is a programme rather than a qualification where all elements have to be achieved. This includes the technical qualification (TQ) itself and the work experience. The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diplomas are different qualifications that are designed for apprenticeship standards.
What is the expectation of the work placement, and how can this be quality controlled?
It is expected that learners will complete a minimum of 45 days work experience with a maximum of 2 employers. The work experience can be a flexible as possible in terms of delivery between the provider and employer. For further guidance visit the dedicated page.
What IAG is being give to candidates to help them to choose T levels and the occupational specialisms?
We are working weekly with many different providers to ensure they are fully aware of the intention, content, assessment and progression associated with T Levels. Providers should be able to advise learners and parents. We are also working with social media outlets and creating different types literature around T Levels for stakeholder groups.
What does GLH stand for?
Guided learning hours.
How does 1400-1800 hours compare to a single A-Level?
One A-Level is equivalent to 360 GLH, an engineering T Level will be equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Additional hours on programme are due to requirements such as the work experience (minimum of 315 hours).
You mentioned that the Employer Set Project is actually a real-life scenario, not an explicit project set by an employer - is there anything which actually does involve extended working with employers, and if so how will that be organised?
The employer set project is an assignment completed towards the end of year 1. The learners will be given a real life engineering scenario and be expected to complete an number of tasks based on that specific scenario.
Is the intention of the Manufacturing strand to develop skills for people who will actually work on the shop floor ("Operators"), or people who will develop Manufacturing Processes (Manufacturing Engineers), or both?
In relation to progression, learners completing a T Level should be able to progress to higher education, apprenticeships or full time employment, so either option is a possibility.
Do you see any changes to the Apprenticeship Standards for Degree Apprenticeships as T Level qualified people come in with more practical skills than historically A-Level Qualified people would?
The T Levels are not a replacement for any apprenticeships. T Levels will be one of three main options available to 16-18 year old learners at level 3, in September 2022.
So draft specifications are available if we email you - is there a specific email to request this from?
Draft assessments are available from samantha.ashman@cityandguilds.com
We have found that some employers will take an apprentice for 4 days a week and a T Level student for 1 day?
This could be a common theme that providers adopt to ensure the work placement is achieved. The exact details around the work placement will be agreed between the provider and the individual employer and many different models could be used.
Do all providers have to deliver all pathways?
No, providers can decide to do one, two or all three pathways based on their ability to deliver the different disciplines.
Who issues the actual certificates out of interest?
IFATE will issue certificates to learners completing T Levels.
Are the core exams set in stone, could a more blended approach be used for assessment. Combination of multi-choice, set paper based exam and a practical scenario?
Core exams are externally set and marked, they cannot be blended.
With so many pathways this will be difficult to offer as the student numbers will be too small?
Providers do not have to deliver all pathways or occupational specialisms so can concentrate on areas most relevant to their needs.
Will the students have to decide their pathway on enrolment?
As some will not understand the differences in the first few weeks? Providers will determine which T Levels they will deliver and learner will select accordingly. Providers can choose to run introductory events to learners. This will give learners a good understanding of the different specialisms available from that specific centre. Learners will have to be registered to a pathway shortly after enrolment.
Is the employer set project going to be general or specific to each pathway?
There is an employer set project for each pathway. So one for D&D, MIR and MPC.
What progress has been made with competency mapping to Apprenticeship Standards to inform progression pathways following a T Level?
Mapping a T Level into an engineering apprenticeship is quite a complex progress. Due to the number of specialisms available in the T Levels and number of engineering standards available there becomes a huge number of variables. This is something that will take some time to create guidance around as we know is important to providers and employers.
Are we going to get a drop in employers taking on apprenticeships if there are so many 45-60 day free work placements?
We don't expect this to happen. The work experience will give learners vital opportunities to show off their skills/ dedication and enthusiasm to potential employers. Getting learners into an industry workplace can only be a positive. We believe that apprenticeships will only grow in engineering.
How do centre’s know what to purchase?
If you are currently running any other engineering programmes such as Technicals, Diplomas etc then the equipment you have will suitable for the E&M T Level.
Will students on placements be paid or will it be accepted that its work experience and not paid employment?
Industry placements are part of a course and there is no legal requirement or expectation that students will be paid. However, employers can decide whether or not to pay the learner and how much. For further information visit the dedicated page.
What are the response from universities regarding this qualification as it is clearly geared towards apprenticeships?
We have several university working with us to validate the content especially in the mathematics and science units. The common core section is general engineering, where as the OS has areas within the apprenticeship standard.
The core component is very general and may switch learners off who aiming for vehicles?
The main aim of the E&M T Level is designed for learners to have a general understanding of engineering and be threshold competent in the occupational they choose which is why the core component is general. Those who are wishing to take the vehicle OS can apply the core knowledge they have gain into new technology of vehicles such as hybrids, electrics.
Are T Levels only available in England?
T Levels an England only initiative, they are currently only available in England
Will there be a pilot runs in designated centres for Engineering & Manufacturing T Levels.
There are no pilot however, There is a selection of centres who are OFSTED Grade 1 & 2 that have been selected to deliver T Levels from Sept 2022. They have identified which pathway is appropriate to their skills and resources and can select to deliver one or more occupational specialisms. To find out who these providers are view the DfE provider list.
In a number of apprenticeships, employers will want a mandated technical knowledge qualification to be included. We assume AOs will still be able to develop these if required
Yes apprenticeship standard review falls outside of the Level 3 review (these outcomes from the recent consultation impacts technical qualifications) apprenticeships are funded through the levy and therefore any mandated qualification does not sit within this review.
As an AO we don’t decide what goes into individual standards in terms of qualifications (k,S,B’s) The Institute will decide what individual K,S,B’s contain in individual standards but as an AO we feed into these discussions. As an AO we will adapt to any changes in standards we currently have a market in.
Will Universities accept T levels as meeting their entry requirements, especially the maths content? A number of Universities accept A Level at grade B or C
We are working with a number of university's to ensure that progression to HE is a valid route. The institute is also working with HE establishments again to validate this progression option.
Are they looking also remove HNC and HND qualifications
Currently it’s just the Level 3 qualifications, however if the content in the HNC/HND covers some of the T Levels content then these will need to be redesigned and reviewed.
Not all students will enter apprenticeship from T levels and we will still relevant level 3 qualification available in apprenticeships, currently in engineering these mainly BTEC's if we lose these, how will the Institute & Department ensure we have replacements in this timescale.
The institute are leading on the progression discussions. We as an AO and you as employers will all be feeding into the progression maps. The institute have recently held the first meetings as per T Level and I’m sure many more will follow over the next few months. Apprenticeships fall outside of this review. There will be redeveloped and new qualifications created to meet the new criteria.
For T-Levels students moving into an apprenticeship will there be a significant reduction in funding due to prior knowledge and experience?
It would be dependent on the pathways and apprenticeship standard but generally yes.
Are qualifications referenced in apprenticeships standards ring fenced in the L3 review?
The L3 reviews refers to full-time learners not apprentices. The traditional large qualifications that has cross over with a T Level will no longer be funded. We are expecting more information from the DFE in the next few months.