NCFE celebrates contract win with visit from national apprenticeships institute

North East-based awarding body NCFE welcomed a visit from the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) following a T Level contract win.

After securing a contract to deliver new Education and Childcare T Levels, NCFE welcomed Sir Gerry Berragan, CEO and Rob Nitsch, COO of the Institute to its Newcastle headquarters in Quorum Business Park.

National body NFCE won the contract for the new delivery of the T Levels, following a global bidding process, and were awarded the contract by the Institute and the Department for Education (DfE).

Education Secretary Damian Hinds explained: “This is a major step forward in our work to upgrade technical education in this country.

“T Levels are a once in a generation opportunity to create high-quality technical education courses on a par with the best in the world, so that young people gain the skills and experience they need to secure a good job, an apprenticeship or progress into further training.”

Equivalent to three A levels and carry UCAS points, the Education and Childcare T Level is a two year course for ages 16-18, using practical classroom based learning to provide three core specialisms: early years education and childcare, assisting teaching, and supporting and mentoring students in further and higher education.

Due to be rolled out in September 2020 through three local training providers, the Education and Childcare T Level will sit alongside apprenticeships and A Levels, as well as pathways into the digital skills and construction sectors.

Sir Gerry Berragan, CEO of the Institute, commented: “I am really pleased at the pace the work has developed and the Institute will continue to build on the work of DfE.

“Technical Education offers a real and exciting alternative to A Levels for young people, with T Levels now sitting alongside apprenticeships.

“We remain committed to the pace of the roll out and look forward to working with these suppliers as they develop the first T Level qualifications.”