professionalMATTERS


T Levels are approaching – your handy guide to accessing Professional Development support


Three T Levels are launching in a year’s time and, to help professionals prepare for the new qualifications, the ETF is offering CPD support to equip you for the challenges ahead.


It’s now only a year until the first 50 providers start delivering T Levels in Digital, Construction, and Education and Childcare. T Levels are new, two-year, Level 3 technical study programmes announced by the Government in 2017 and will become one of the choices available to post-16 students. They will be high-quality technical alternatives to


A Levels, combining classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement – of at least 315 hours, or around 45 days – where students will build the knowledge and skills they need in a workplace environment. UCAS has announced that there will be parity between T Levels and A Levels, with a distinction* equivalent to three A*s. Panels of experts have set out the knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements for each T Level, based on


the same standards as apprenticeships. This ensures that individuals taking T Levels can develop the technical knowledge and skills required by employers in that particular industry. Due to the expected level of competence a student will need to demonstrate in the occupational specialism, the required level will be higher compared to many current vocational qualifications. Because of this, and with renewed focus on technical education and the options available to students, the flexible T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer devised and delivered by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), and funded by the Department for Education, ensures that staff across providers are supported and ready to deliver a high-quality T Level programme from the outset.


WHAT IS T LEVEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (TLPD)?


The TLPD offer comprises five strands (blue headings) of work and consolidates the ETF’s experience, expertise and commitment to working in partnership with the sector. Webinars and face-to-face events started in Spring.


Ongoing Professional Development Needs Analysis An ongoing process which helps build a clear understanding of professional development needs. PDAs


Each of the 2020 and 2021 providers will have a dedicated Professional Development Advisor (PDA) who will visit them once a term to identify their workforce development needs, provide support and gather feedback. Self-assessment tools Two self-assessment tools (one for practitioners, one for organisations) to support individuals and organisations to prepare for T Level delivery. These are available via www.foundationonline.org.uk


Understanding T Levels Resources to help increase the understanding of T Levels, understand the implications for specific roles and help plan effectively, as well as being able to advise students on their options. Introduction to T Levels Nine online modules specific to different roles to help prepare for T Levels. Available at www.foundationonline.org.uk 1. Teachers and trainers 2. Teachers and trainers supporting learners with


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3. Student-facing frontline staff and student services


4. Employer-facing frontline staff 5. T Levels for feeder schools 6. HR 7. Exams and assessment 8. Finance and MIS staff 9. Governors, Directors and Trustees.


Teacher Development Programme Online modules and resources to support teachers to refresh/update skillsets, share professional knowledge and learn from the most recent innovations in practice. Pedagogy • An introduction to technical teaching. • Top tips guides and resources – videos, thinking points and further reading focused on recent innovations in pedagogy. Practice • 18 subject specialist videos. • An online subject reference database. Professional knowledge • 30 online videos focusing on the most up-to-date professional practice and how this can be utilised in curriculum delivery.


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