Morning, Tuesday, 11th November 2025
Online
This conference will examine the future for T Levels in England.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss next steps following summer 2025 T Level results, where the T Level pass rate has risen above 91% - but with a continuing fall in the drop-out rate, indicating that 27% students left their course early.
Planned sessions in the agenda will explore potential implications for providers and employers in the face of evolving sector demands. Areas for discussion include how T Levels - particularly in engineering, clean energy, manufacturing and digital pathways - can better reflect industrial priorities through curriculum content, employer engagement, and the design and delivery of work placements.
We expect delegates to examine issues raised by providers and employer groups about funding consistency, variation in regional capacity to deliver placements, and provision of breadth of choice alongside alignment with skills needs. They will also consider how employer engagement can be broadened to include small and medium enterprises, and how quality assurance of placements can be maintained as flexibility increases through simulated and remote placements. Those attending the conference will also look at issues raised around the need for clear quality assurance for simulated and remote placements, safeguards to ensure parity with on-site experience, and options to increase the supply of hosts where local capacity is limited.
Ongoing delivery challenges will also be considered, including options for tackling concerns around student recruitment, retention and completion, as well as disparities in participation across learner groups. Discussion will look at support for disadvantaged and SEND learners, and how regional variations in provision and placement opportunities can be addressed to avoid inequity of access.
The agenda will also consider the design and delivery of the T Level Foundation Year, addressing drop-out rates, and the potential for a smaller, single A Level-equivalent T Level option to meet more diverse learner needs.
Priorities for raising awareness of T Levels and the broader technical offer will also be discussed, alongside improving learner recruitment and employer engagement in work placements - following the NAO’s Introducing T Levels report. Further sessions will explore the T Level teaching workforce - including recruitment and retention of teachers with current industry expertise, and support for CPD - alongside wider issues for the long-term sustainability of the qualification.
Overall, planned areas for discussion include:
- improving student awareness and recruitment - accessibility of curriculum and placement expectations - delivery support and CPD
- progression from the Foundation Year - student choice and qualification options
- aligning the T Level offer with the Industrial Strategy - supporting high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, clean energy and digital - strengthening employer engagement - curriculum alignment
- addressing funding consistency and delivery capacity across regions
- quality assurance for simulated and other remote placements, and safeguards for equivalence - options to increase the supply of placement hosts, including regional hub models
- new approaches to raising awareness and options for coordination with employers and providers
- routes into higher education and employment - alignment with labour market needs and future skills
- further education and higher education collaboration - employer partnerships and curriculum co-design
- clarity on recognition of T Levels by higher education and bridging arrangements where needed
- targeted learner support to improve retention and completion, including for disadvantaged students
