Teesside businesses prove T Levels are ticket to homegrown talent

Earlier this year, Government announced new reforms to overhaul the further education system, including removing funding for BTEC courses from 2024 in favour of T Levels/A Levels.

The College was one of the first institutions selected by Government to deliver the pioneering new qualifications, developed in partnership with local employers to deliver cutting edge courses that equip learners with the skills they need to enter the world of work.

As an early adopter of T Levels, Middlesbrough-based software engineering firm NorthLink Digital is already reaping the rewards of opening its workplace to the next generation and is calling on others to do the same.

Phil Smith, chief technology officer at NorthLink Digital, said: “We’ve always been passionate about working with young people and showing them that they don’t have to go to university in Manchester or get jobs in London. And because that’s traditionally what would have happened, we noticed a real skills gap when trying to employ skilled developers locally.”

T Level courses, which are equivalent to three A Levels, include work placements of at least 45 days allowing students to get essential hands-on experience in their chosen industry. Following his successful placement with the NorthLink, 18-year-old Moritz Cornieje was offered a permanent role as a software developer alongside his studies.

Alongside his role at NorthLink, Moritz is currently in his second year of his Level 3 Digital Production, Design and Development T Level and is based in the College’s new digital centre MC Digital. The multi-million-pound facility is home to industry leading programming suites, cyber labs, video editing suites, a games design suite, a full TV and film studio, VR headsets, 360 cameras and more.

And it’s not just the tech sector where T Levels are ramping up on Teesside. Middlesbrough College’s apprenticeship and training arm, Northern Skills, works with more than 2,000 employers across the region to make sure courses equip learners with the skills so in demand on Teesside.

From September 2023, the College will deliver a full suite of T Levels in Business & Law, Catering, Childcare, Construction, Catering, Digital, Engineering, Hair & Beauty, Health and Science, offering up unrivalled opportunities for learners.

Katharine Hawking, head of work experience and T Level industry placements at Middlesbrough College, said: “Traditionally, young people thought they had to move away from the area to get a ‘good job’ but we’re proving that there are fantastic opportunities and careers right here on Teesside.

“T Level placements offer up a unique opportunity for employers who want to shape the way young people are trained to meet their future needs. They address the pain points that many report including lack of hands-on experience.

“They’re also an opportunity for businesses to play a much bigger role in the growth of our local economy and the futureproofing of skills in the region. Some of the next generation of business leaders will start their careers with T Levels. They’re high quality, exciting routes into employment, apprenticeships or further study that give learners the technical skills most in demand in the jobs market.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily