College goes up a T level with new course

BARNSLEY COLLEGE is the only college in South Yorkshire to be chosen to run new T level courses which start in September.The college will be offering new technical courses in construction, digital, and education and childcare which will begin in September 2020. A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover subjects such as finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing, and creative and design.

T Levels are a new two-year qualification, equivalent to three A Levels, for 16 to 18 year olds who would prefer a technical education, rather than following a purely academic pathway or a work-based apprenticeship.The qualifications are a combination of classroom or workshop-based learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience. They provide a mixture of technical knowledge and practical skills specific to the student’s chosen industry or occupation and can include an industry placement of at least 45 days, relevant maths, English and digital skills, and common workplace skills.David Akeroyd, vice principal technical and professional education at Barnsley College, said: “We’re really excited and proud to have been chosen by the Department for Education to be the only college in South Yorkshire and one of only 54 colleges in the country to offer T Levels from September 2020.“We have fantastic partnerships with employers across the South Yorkshire region and we are in a strong position to be able to deliver these qualifications which will provide our students with an opportunity to gain the technical knowledge and valuable work experience that employers look for when recruiting new employees.”Potential new students will have the opportunity to find out about T Levels and the wide range of courses on offer at the Barnsley College and Barnsley Sixth Form College Open Day next Saturday, November 23, from 11am to 2pm.The open day will be held at various College sites including the Sixth Form campus on St Mary’s Place, the Old Mill Lane campus on Church Street, the Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre on Old Mill Lane, the Construction Centre and Sports Academy at the Honeywell campus and Wigfield Farm.