Are T-levels a waste of time?
Discussion
Think this is probably the best place to ask this, a friend of a friend has recently done a T-level in electrical engineering or something like that, he did it whilst he was still under 19 as I believe its still free then. He tells me he actually signed up for the C&G part 1 and 2 electrical but as he was about to start the course he was talked into doing the T-level instead by the college as he was told it was a better course.
Fast forward to now and he's now 21 and wants to do the next level C&G course in electrical (which he is prepared to pay for) but C&G have told him if he wants to progress then he still needs to do the part 1 and 2 course, which he will now obviously have to pay for and there is no other way round it.
So its looks like whatever qualifications he has in "electrical" aren't recognised by anyone. Is it possible the college were being given back handers to sign students up to these T-level courses, they are supposed to be the equivalent of several A levels or something.
Fast forward to now and he's now 21 and wants to do the next level C&G course in electrical (which he is prepared to pay for) but C&G have told him if he wants to progress then he still needs to do the part 1 and 2 course, which he will now obviously have to pay for and there is no other way round it.
So its looks like whatever qualifications he has in "electrical" aren't recognised by anyone. Is it possible the college were being given back handers to sign students up to these T-level courses, they are supposed to be the equivalent of several A levels or something.
I'm involved in T-Level training. I work with a college and provide the 'hands-on' bit, giving students exposure to real world, industry specific experience.
They're certainly not a waste of time. But from what I've seen there's two issues.
The first is that their quality is very college specific.
The second is that they carry this perception that they are some sort of 'A-Level light' option. This attracts a lot of kids who see it as an easy option and typically not the type that would do well with A-Levels. This results in half the class that just drifts and half that are fully engaged. But I guess that applies to any college type learning.
It's possible your friend was given the wrong advice. This may have been with good intention and most likely on the absence of current industry knowledge in terms of qualification requirements. That shouldn't be the case but the reality is that Tutor quality varies enormously at this level of education as does the resource and capacity needed to keep up to date. Ultimately it's on the students and parents to do their own homework as well.
But also keep in mind that like A-Levels, T-Levels are a stepping stone rather than the end goal. Whilst some do go straight into employment, the idea is that they provide the grounding to progress to higher education or vocational training. For the later, most stipulate minimum entry requirements (which the T-Levels would have provided) or 10 years industry experience (which your friend doesn't yet have).
They're certainly not a waste of time. But from what I've seen there's two issues.
The first is that their quality is very college specific.
The second is that they carry this perception that they are some sort of 'A-Level light' option. This attracts a lot of kids who see it as an easy option and typically not the type that would do well with A-Levels. This results in half the class that just drifts and half that are fully engaged. But I guess that applies to any college type learning.
It's possible your friend was given the wrong advice. This may have been with good intention and most likely on the absence of current industry knowledge in terms of qualification requirements. That shouldn't be the case but the reality is that Tutor quality varies enormously at this level of education as does the resource and capacity needed to keep up to date. Ultimately it's on the students and parents to do their own homework as well.
But also keep in mind that like A-Levels, T-Levels are a stepping stone rather than the end goal. Whilst some do go straight into employment, the idea is that they provide the grounding to progress to higher education or vocational training. For the later, most stipulate minimum entry requirements (which the T-Levels would have provided) or 10 years industry experience (which your friend doesn't yet have).
Edited by StevieBee on Friday 20th February 06:58
Thanks for the reply, this one was in Manchester, its called something like the baracheta or similar from what I heard somewhere. He was convinced though that he would still end up with the part 1 and 2 and some sort of A-level but instead ended up with something that can't progress his career, he already had a job in that field so wanted to start on the route that got him quickly qualified.
I know its always do your own research but young people these days are so naïve and easily led it should be upt o those in charge to spell it all out to them.
I know its always do your own research but young people these days are so naïve and easily led it should be upt o those in charge to spell it all out to them.
Good post by StevieBee and I agree that T-Level aren’t a waste of time, but it is true that another path may have been better suited to the end goal.
T-Levels were fundamentally flawed from inception, so whilst no consolation for where he has found himself, he made a logical decision based on what information was provided to him.
In my experience, it is common for students to be given poor advice by 6th forms, colleges and universities, particular in trades - I’ll save my views beyond that observation.
I suggest trying to get him a conversation with a reputable company for some advice and find out what it is they are looking for - there will absolutely be someone on PH who can provide this.
T-Levels were fundamentally flawed from inception, so whilst no consolation for where he has found himself, he made a logical decision based on what information was provided to him.
In my experience, it is common for students to be given poor advice by 6th forms, colleges and universities, particular in trades - I’ll save my views beyond that observation.
I suggest trying to get him a conversation with a reputable company for some advice and find out what it is they are looking for - there will absolutely be someone on PH who can provide this.
Edited by M22s on Saturday 21st February 18:20
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