First three T Levels announced

Today, the Department for Education has announced first three T Levels, in Digital, Construction, and Education and Childcare. In response, David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: "This is an important step forward in helping to develop a technical and professional education system in England which matches the best in the world. The Government has worked hard to build support for this from colleges, employers and from across the political parties - all of that is critical to making this a success. “The technical education reforms are vital to help our country become more self-sufficient in skills and to give more young people the transition into working lives that they deserve. This reform will require a massive effort because of the complexity of the change, but also because we also collectively need to challenge the snobbery and unfairness which goes well beyond the education system. We have a culture in this country which has always under-valued anything other than a traditional route from school to university; we need to change that. "The new routes and pathways should provide greater clarity for students, advisers, parents and employers about what skills and qualifications are valued in the labour market. We need more people with strong STEM skills and to improve productivity across the economy so getting this right will matter for everyone over the long term." "Colleges are ready to deliver the high quality teaching, facilities and links to jobs which they are well-known for; the new investment announced earlier this year in the Spring Budget will help make this a reality." Department of Education Press Notice Department of Education Action Plan