Funding boost to facilities for T-level students

The government has announced a £50 million investment in colleges, schools and sixth forms delivering T-levels across England from 2022 to improve and expand teaching spaces and facilities.

65 building projects will receive a share of the funding, providing students with industry quality equipment for hands-on experience right from the start of their training, and high-tech classrooms.

T-levels – co-created with over 250 employers including Fujitsu and Amazon – are equivalent to three A-levels and uniquely combine classroom study with industry placements, so students gain the skills businesses need allowing them to go straight into the workplace, onto an apprenticeship or further study.

New subjects including health, science and onsite construction will be added from September.

The funding will be used to refurbish buildings and facilities, including upgrading classrooms and creating specialist spaces such as teaching wards, and building or improving laboratories for health and science students.

Minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan said: “T-levels are a game changer for young people, providing a high-quality technical equivalent to A-levels that have been designed hand-in-hand with leading employers so students and businesses can be sure they will get the skills they need to thrive in a high tech economy.

“This multi-million pound investment will mean even more students will benefit from world-class facilities, giving them access to brilliant new buildings that will help them get ready for the world of work.”

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges said: “T-levels will be available in more than 100 colleges and schools from this September and are a high quality option for young people looking to build a career. I welcome the fact that the government is continuing to invest in up-to-date buildings and facilities for these courses and students.”

T-levels form a key part of the government’s reforms to revolutionise skills and technical education, providing students with the skills and experience they need to progress into well-paid jobs, further study or an apprenticeship.

The first three T-levels in design, surveying and planning for construction, digital production, design and development and education and childcare were introduced in September 2020. A further seven are rolling out from this September in subjects including health, science and onsite construction, with subjects including finance, media and legal introduced from 2022 and 2023.

The announcement builds on the £133 million made available to support providers delivering T-levels in 2020 and 2021, including funding given to all new T-level providers to purchase specialist equipment so students have access to the equipment they will use when they get a job. Further funding is expected to be awarded later in the year.