The Government has chosen Hugh Baird College as the only education provider in the Liverpool City Region to pilot the delivery of new ‘revolutionary’ technical qualifications called T Levels.
T Levels will provide students with high-quality vocational/technical alternatives to A Levels. They will also combine theory and practical learning with an industry placement. The placement will involve at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days, where students will work with local employers in order to further enhance their skills in their chosen field.
The College will be part of a second wave of providers nationally delivering T Level qualifications and, from September 2021, will offer T Levels in Construction, Digital, and Health Care.
In addition to the College’s impressive links with employers in the sectors outlined, Hugh Baird College was chosen by the Government’s Department for Education for the quality of their technical education.
Commenting on the Department for Education’s announcement, Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, Yana Williams, said:
We are delighted to have been named as the sole provider in the Liverpool City Region to deliver these new and exciting technical qualifications.
This announcement endorses our commitment to working closely with the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership in order to address the skill gaps in the region’s labour market.
Our involvement with the T level pilot also complements our ambitious strategic vision to ensure our students progress to well-paid and successful careers upon leaving Hugh Baird College.
As an organisation, we have worked tirelessly to nurture relationships with a wide range of employers from across the Liverpool City Region. I believe that this announcement is further recognition of our innovative approach to partnership working. This is no more evident than in our exciting collaborations with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS Trusts from across Merseyside.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust provide a Life Rooms facility and health, social care and mental health training in partnership with Hugh Baird College and their Chief Executive, Joe Rafferty, said:
Our relationship with Hugh Baird College is one of our most important partnerships because we’re able to help young people at a really vulnerable point in their lives.
Many congratulations to Hugh Baird College for receiving this recognition as one of the most forward-thinking Further Education Colleges in Liverpool.
Chair of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, Asif Hamid MBE, said:
This is fantastic news for many students across the Liverpool City Region. By providing a high quality alternative to A Levels, we are taking another significant step towards ensuring more young people are getting the right skills and are technically prepared in their chosen field for the workforce.
Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, said:
Everyone agrees that a radical shake-up of technical and vocational education in this country is long overdue. T Levels are our chance to do that – offering young people high-quality alternatives to our world-class A Levels from September 2020.
The second wave of post-16 providers we have announced demonstrates our commitment to making this happen. They will play an important role in ensuring more young people across the country can access these courses and help develop the skilled workforce the country needs for the future.