To mark National Careers Week, Durham students Hannah Willis and Joel Urwin took part in a virtual round table event with Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education.
On 4 March, Gavin Williamson and Gillian Keegan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) held an online meeting with a selection of T-level students from across England. They wanted to find out why the students had chosen to study the new T-Level qualification, get their opinions how their courses were going and learn about the students’ future aspirations.
Joel and Hannah are studying T-Levels at New College Durham. They were nominated by their course tutors to act as T-Level ambassadors for the college. Hannah started her Education & Childcare T-Level in September 2020. She chose to study T-Levels as she felt they offered a way to develop her education whilst also gaining relevant experience in the workplace. She was delighted to be chosen to take part in the event.
She said: “I found the virtual round table event interesting and enjoyable. I was able to share my experience of T-Levels so far and hear other students’ opinions. I was also given the opportunity to ask questions to the Secretary of State and in turn learnt more about the possibilities of my qualification.”
Vice Principal Mark Anderson said: “This was an amazing opportunity for our students as they were able to have direct contact with two of the most influential people in UK education. The students had the chance to ask the MP’s questions and could listen to other students’ experiences. It is incredible to think that the information our students gave could help shape the future of the T-Level qualification.”
T-Levels were introduced in September 2020. They are studied over two years and the qualification is equivalent to 3 A-Levels. New College Durham currently offers T-Levels in Education & Childcare, Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and Digital Production, Design and Development. From September 2021, student will also be able to study T-Levels in Digital Business Services, Digital Support Services and Health.
