T Level Knowledge Hubs, Teacher Regional Improvement Projects and Industry Insight activity set to launch

Three regional Knowledge Hubs being established as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer will be launched at the end of April.

The offer, which is funded by the Department for Education until March 2020, will help to ensure that further education and post-16 providers in the first two tranches are T Level ready, as well as supporting those wanting to deliver them later.

That will be achieved by ensuring that teachers and trainers have the teaching skills, subject knowledge and confidence needed to deliver a high-quality T Level programme from the outset.

The Knowledge Hubs will help to achieve that through teacher development networks and collaborative activities focused on T Level routes, pathways and subject-specific themes.

Employers and professional bodies will also be engaged to ensure that learning and practice reflects industry needs. The three Hubs will be delivered by the Skills and Education Group, Association of Colleges and Creative Education.

The Hubs will provide an opportunity for 2020, 2021 and future T Level providers to participate in sector-led, collaborative action research projects, known as Teacher Regional Improvement Projects (TRIPs).

The TRIPs will support teachers to prepare their teaching practice for T Levels and, ultimately, ensure that learners undertaking T Levels develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and occupational competencies required. Grants of £45,000 will be awarded to 50 collaborative TRIPs across England.

Further information about the Knowledge Hubs is available from the co-ordinating organisations:

• For providers in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside (Region 1), Mo Gallagher at the Association of Colleges.
• For providers in the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England and London (Region 2), Jon Poxon at the Skills and Education Group.
• For providers in the South East and South West (Region 3), Tom Hesmondhalgh at Creative Education.

Providers interested in applying to run TRIPs can find out more by attending events held in the three regions in May. 

The Education and Training Foundation, the national workforce development body for further education and training, was announced by the Department for Education in November 2018 as the body chosen to create the T Level Professional Development offer until March 2020.

The offer will support teachers, trainers and leaders in the delivery of T Levels from 2020. Its aim is to ensure that further education and post-16 providers are T Level ready.

This means ensuring that teachers and trainers have the teaching skills, subject knowledge and confidence needed to deliver high-quality T Level programmes from the outset. It will be shaped around the needs of providers and their workforce alongside relevant regional, employer and curriculum needs, that will ensure positive outcomes for learners.