T time for B&FC students and the education secretary

By Blackpool and the Fylde College

12 Mar 2021

virtual-roundtable_t-levels.png

Education and childcare students Katie Albert and Jess Burrell were among the first in the UK on the T Level qualification, supporting learners to achieve their career ambitions and stand out from the crowd by including work-based learning and an extended industry placement. 

Katie and Jess joined Mr Williamson and Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, on a virtual roundtable to discuss their T Level experiences and hopes for the future. 

Jess explained: "It was great chatting to other students doing T Levels and it was useful being able to share my thoughts with Gavin Williamson."

During the Microsoft Teams call Mr Williamson revealed he grew up on Norbreck Avenue and that "Blackpool is one of my favourite places in the UK."

Fast track to career success

Jess added: "When I first heard about T Levels the first thought that popped into my head was it being equivalent to 3 A-levels. 

"I then found out it was a very practical course that would help me gain lots of professional skills and included an extended placement. 

"Not only would I come away with a great qualification, I would also gain skills on the course that many people would have to learn after starting their job."

Jess started her T Level in September 2020– the first time this qualification had been offered. “I expected the T Level was going to take a lot of time and work - but it’s all nicely balanced out and everyone is really supportive. 

"There hasn’t been a time where I’ve not had help if I’ve needed it."

Jess is now preparing for her extended T Level placement at a local school. "I'm really looking forward to meeting teachers and working with the children," she said. 

Becoming a teacher has been Jess' lifelong dream. "I loved being in school and seeing how much a teacher could impact someone’s life. That inspired me to want to do the same and now I want to go to university and achieve that ambition." 

Jess had some useful advice for students considering T Levels. "You have nothing to lose - and everything to gain. I have been given so many opportunities I don’t think I could of got from any other course. It’s equivalent to 3 A Levels and you get career experience - it couldn’t be better." 

You can watch highlights of the virtual roundtable below.

What are T Levels? 

T Levels were launched in September 2020 and designed with industry to create the next generation of business leaders. 

B&FC is the north west’s only college to offer the first three T Levels – in construction, education and childcare, and digital. 

One T Level is equivalent to 3 A Levels and provides UCAS points for university admission. T Levels are all about careers and employability, including a guaranteed industry placement and immersing the student in college spaces replicating the working environment. 

Another major advantage of T Levels is skills acquired on the course, which are typically only gained once they’ve been hired. This gives T Level students an advantage over peers when competing for jobs. 

Employers have shown great interest in T Levels since curricula are geared towards their success. B&FC expects many of its first T Level cohort finishing in July 2022 will be offered the chance to learn while they earn on higher and degree apprenticeships. 

The portfolio of T Level courses will grow significantly over the next couple of years. Students leaving school this summer can also choose from health and science T Levels and an expanded range of digital and construction courses. In September 2022, T Level students will also be able to select business and engineering courses. 

And in 2023 there will be about 25 T Levels available in subjects ranging from hair and beauty to human resources. 

T Level students will need 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths.

Those who have narrowly missed the grades but are passionate about career routes will be offered the chance to level up on transition programmes. 

Learn more about T Levels at Blackpool and The Fylde College.

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin