Last week, 13th – 17th October, was National T Levels Week, and to mark the occasion the Sandwell Colleges took T Levels out to schools. The T Level Roadshow saw the Sandwell Colleges’ big yellow bus visit a range of secondary schools across the Black Country and Birmingham.
Celebrating the ambitious success of T Level students at Sandwell College in West Bromwich and Cadbury Sixth Form College in Kings Norton, the roadshow gave school pupils the chance to hop aboard. They met expert staff, heard about some of the fabulous employers working with the Colleges to offer T Level placements, and experienced a taste of industry immersion with a range of ‘have a go’ activities, such as:
Digital area mapping and basic block coding with a robot dog – for young people interested in Construction & Digital courses
Exploring physiology and human anatomy with iPads and Merge Cubes – for learners interested in Health T Levels
VR nursery simulation, plus an immersive sensory programme – for pupils interested in Education and Early Years careers
There was also an opportunity to find out more about the Colleges’ multi-million-pound investments into brand-new engineering and health facilities at the West Bromwich STEM Centre and the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Learning Campus, which will open in early 2026.
The Sandwell and Cadbury College School Liaison teams and expert teaching staff were on hand to bust T Level myths and explain why these qualifications are a great option for students looking for a bright and successful future.
The Colleges also hosted on-campus events to celebrate T Levels Week, including:
A Careers in Media and Broadcast talk by BBC presenter and producer Trish Adudu
A workplace readiness session hosted by partner employer HydraPower Dynamics
Q&As with Lloyds Banking Group on life inside a top UK bank
A ‘skills in action’ showcase with T Level Media students capturing content for a college social media takeover
Health T Level students took part in a paramedic science workshop at Birmingham City University. The week-long celebrations concluded with a T Level-focused Learner of the Month certificate presentation ceremony.
Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal of The Sandwell Colleges, said:
“T Levels are a high-quality technical qualification, developed in collaboration with employers to meet the needs of industry. They offer a unique learning experience, combining classroom study with valuable hands-on experience through industry placements and employer projects.
Students at our Colleges have achieved excellent results on their T Level courses, and many have shared how the real-world experience has boosted their confidence and prepared them for university, degree apprenticeships, or employment.
We’re proud to celebrate the success of our T Level programmes and share this with our school partners, supporting young people as they explore their future options.”
Tayabb, a T Level Engineering Student at Sandwell College, completed his T Level placement at HydraPower Dynamics, benefiting from real-world workshop experience with the company, which manufactures and supplies high-quality fluid handling assemblies across multiple industries. He said:
“T Levels give students the opportunity to get experience in the workplace, and the theory and practical all in one. This course has given me the chance to understand what it’s like in working life.”
The Sandwell Colleges have been expanding their T Level provision since 2023 and now offer a wide range of courses, including Digital Software Development, Health, Education & Early Years (Childcare), Engineering, Business Management, Cyber Security, Legal Services, Marketing, Media Broadcast & Production.
T Levels are two-year courses that young people can take following GCSEs. Broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels and accruing UCAS points, T Levels combine classroom learning with at least 45 days of industry placement.
T Level students at The Sandwell Colleges have achieved excellent results, including Distinction grades for all Digital students this summer, with many now progressing to university, the workplace, or higher-level apprenticeships.
Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith commented:
“T Levels are at the forefront of this government’s technical education offer. They are excellent qualifications based on employer-led standards and they break down barriers to opportunity, giving young people hands-on experience through industry placements.
T Levels are helping to build talented workforces – around a third of T Level students who progress into employment get jobs with their T Level Industry Placement employer.
I’m delighted to champion T Levels Week as we ensure these qualifications continue to thrive through our Plan for Change. T Levels are growing year on year, with £28 million of additional investment this year for specialist equipment. I would encourage young people to consider taking a T Level – including the brand-new Marketing T Level – as a fantastic route into a rewarding career.”
For more information on T Levels and advice on applying, visit sandwell.ac.uk or cadcol.ac.uk.
Join us on social media as we celebrate our students, using the hashtag #TLevelsWeek.
