First engineering T-Levels awarded as vocational routes gain favour

T Levels are two-year courses that can be studied by 16-18 year olds after finishing their GCSEs, designed by employers and based on the same standards as apprenticeships. This year marks the first cohort of students to graduate with Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels, seen as a vital link to provide young people with the practical skills industry is craving. 

Against this backdrop, engineering skills body Enginuity has released new research that demonstrates how interest in these vocational career routes is growing. According to the survey, nearly 90 per cent of parents are now more interested in vocational routes for their children to enter their chosen careers versus the traditional university path. As for young people themselves, the research found that 82 per cent of 11-18 year olds said they would be interested in more vocational routes to get a foothold in their chosen career. 

“The results of our survey paint a clear picture on T Levels results day: both parents and young people are increasingly recognising the value of vocational education, particularly in fields like engineering and manufacturing that require technical expertise and hands-on experience,” said Ann Watson, Enginuity chief executive.