The recent report of the second round of Technical Education Learner Surveys has provided some important insights regarding the progress of the first T Levels and T Level Transition Programmes[1]. This includes findings from surveys administered with the first and second cohorts of these programmes. Some of these insights echo those of Ofsted’s T-level thematic review: final report.
T Level and T Level Transition Programme learners are generally finding their workload manageable and their course suitably challenging, reporting that their courses have helped them develop knowledge of their chosen subject area, practical skills and work readiness.
Almost all of the T Level learners who started in 2020 reported that they had completed a substantial industry placement despite Covid-19. This aligns with official data which showed that 94% of these learners completed a placement. In addition, increasing numbers of T Level Transition Programme learners are undertaking work experience – almost half of those studying in the 2021/22 academic year. These are elements which set these programmes apart from other vocational/technical courses.
As well as high satisfaction with the T Level industry placement and Transition Programme work experience, learners have shown high levels of satisfaction with teachers’ knowledge and expertise and the standard of teaching in these new programmes.
