T levels and Vocational Pathways
NICEC's network event is about the new T levels. What would you advise a young person about them? In uncertain labour markets, will T levels work?
Event recording
There are more and more questions to debate. What are the alternatives? Are they an option for adults? What are the real progression routes from T levels? Will this change to vocational education be any different?
Building on our seminar on careers work in Further Education, this meeting will explore how policy around the T level has developed and the hopes, fears and realities of rolling out this new qualification and vocational pathway to young people, colleges and employers. It brings together policy insight, research evidence and case study practice.
PART ONE: Big picture
Introduction and welcome
Session 1: ‘This time it will be different’– the hopes for T levels
This session will outline developments in policy around vocational pathways, reforms of technical education and the current refocus on further education; the role and vision for T levels; and explore the implications for young people. To explore whether T levels have been developed too quickly or a long time coming.
Becci Newton, Associate Director, IES
Catherine Sezen, Senior Policy Manager FE, Association of Colleges
Laura-Jane Rawlings, Youth Employment UK (plus 2 colleagues)
Q&A with panel (Becci, Catherine and Laura-Jane)
PART TWO: Evidence and experiences.
Session 2: ‘The T Level USP’ - The Industry Placement
This session will discuss the placement which is the key element of T levels, lessons learned to date, and how research and evaluation has helped policy and practice around placements to evolve. It will also cover the ambitions for placements, and their pros and cons, and how we are still trying to get them right.
Joy Williams, Senior Research Fellow, IES
Session 3: A view from the first wave.
This session with provide insights from a college involved in the placement pilot work to discuss the practical issues for T levels and placements, lessons learned to date and aspects colleges are still grappling with/concerned about.
Vicki Illingworth, Principal Crawley College, Chichester College Group (TBC)
Session 4: Implications for careers provision – how do you advise people on all this?
Chance to discuss the issues raised and to consider the implications for careers practice with small break-out (virtual) rooms.
Feedback and finish.
PLEASE NOTE - details of the Zoom link to the event will be available around 48 hours prior to the event. Provided that you register, you will automatically be sent an email with a link to the necessary details at that time.