Barnsley College students celebrate T Level success as technical skills take centre stage

Barnsley College T Level students are celebrating after achieving an overall pass rate of 94.6%, surpassing the national average of 92.6%, with 69% of students receiving higher grades of a Merit or Distinction. 

The results come as the Government places renewed emphasis on technical education, employability skills and giving young people meaningful experience of the workplace. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out plans to strengthen technical education and connections between education and employers, with a greater focus on ensuring young people develop the skills they need to progress into good, skilled jobs. 

T Levels already place this connection with industry at the heart of students' education. The two-year Level 3 qualifications, equivalent in size to three A Levels, combine classroom-based technical learning with an industry placement of at least 315 hours, allowing students to develop and demonstrate their skills in a real workplace. 

The approach reflects findings from Skills England, which has highlighted meaningful work experience as one of the most effective ways for young people to develop and demonstrate the employability skills businesses need. 

Barnsley College students continue to exceed the national results, as Animal Care and Management; Digital Support and Security; Education and Early Years; Legal Services; and Management and Administration courses all achieved a 100% pass rate, with 100% of Design Surveying and Planning students gaining a Merit or Distinction. 

Many students are looking forward to their next steps, with numerous students already securing university places, apprenticeships or full-time employment.  

Max Thackery, who achieved a Merit in his Level 3 Design, Surveying and Planning T Level is now moving onto a Degree Apprenticeship as a Quantity Surveyor at United Infrastructure where he completed his T Level industry placement. Max said: "The T Level is phenomenal for providing industry experience and meeting people." 

Chelsea Rahman achieved a Distinction in her Legal Services T Level has secured a place at university: “I was over the moon to get a Distinction. I loved my T Level and would definitely do it all over again! 

“My placement at Barnsley Council was an amazing experience. Everyone was really friendly and I was trusted with real work, which gave me valuable experience of a professional workplace. 

“I’m now going to UCFB in Manchester to study Sports Journalism. Although it’s completely different to Legal Services, my T Level has really prepared me for my next step. Working in a fast-paced environment helped me develop skills such as communication, critical thinking and confidence that I’ll be able to take with me to university.” 

David Akeroyd, Principal and Chief Executive of Barnsley College said: “The Government's renewed focus on technical education, employability and meaningful work experience reinforces the importance of ensuring young people leave education with more than a qualification. 

“T Levels give students the opportunity to develop specialist technical knowledge alongside the skills and experience that employers are looking for. Through their industry placements, our students experience the workplace, work alongside professionals and put what they have learnt into practice. 

“Working closely with employers is central to what we do at Barnsley College and ensures our students are developing the skills needed to progress into employment, apprenticeships or Higher Education, while helping to meet the skills needs of our local and regional economy.” 

It's not too late to apply to study at Barnsley College or Barnsley Sixth Form College in September. Visit www.barnsley.ac.uk or www.barnsleysixthformcollege.co.uk for more information on applying and the courses available.