Celebrating T Levels
19 to 23 October 2026
Run by the Department for Education (DfE), T Levels Week aims to increase awareness of this qualification for young people aged 16 to 19. Across the Week, T Level providers, employers who run T Level placements and supporters join together to showcase what’s on offer and celebrate students’ success.
We're proud to support the Week – T Levels are an important route into engineering and technology careers. It’s a great opportunity for engineering and tech employers to find out more about T Levels, and how they could benefit their business.
Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates throughout the Week. In the meantime, check out some of our existing content to get yourself in the know.
Things to think about
T Levels are designed with employers to help reduce industry skills gaps – they help businesses access future employees
with the combination of classroom learning and practical industry experience, T Level students are perfectly placed to meet the needs of the engineering sector
students attend placements with an understanding gained in the classroom, which means employers don’t need to start from scratch
for companies looking to employ new talent, a student who has taken T Levels comes in with workplace experience
benefits to employers providing placements include boosts to productivity, increases in workplace diversity, and placements can be seen as extended interviews for future talent
Thinking of taking part?
Activities across the Week include:
promoting local placement opportunities
sharing student outcomes
stories from T Level students about their experiences
What are T Levels?
Launched in 2020, T Levels are a 2 year, Level 3 qualification taken after GCSEs, and are broadly equivalent to 3 A levels.
T Levels are developed in collaboration with employers so that course content meets industry need and students are workplace ready.
As well as classroom learning, all T Level courses include a 45-day industry placement giving students the chance to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. This is a key-part of the qualification and prepares students for employment, an apprenticeship or further technical study.
Research proves T Levels continue to grow in popularity
Our research shows that T Levels continue to grow in popularity. In 2026, numbers grew by 63% across all T Levels and 46% across engineering and technology-related courses. However, only 13% of those completing engineering and tech-related courses were female – a small increase from 12% in 2025. The north west saw a particularly high proportion of T Level entries, while London saw the lowest.
Benefits for the engineering and tech industry
There are many benefits to engineering and technology companies of T Levels. Not only are T Level students technically skilled and workplace ready, but providing placements is an opportunity to help young people enter the industry. We’ve heard from many engineering and technology firms who have become T Level placement providers for these reasons. Here’s some feedback from some of them:
Acquiring fresh talent
Finding themselves with an influx of work, SME Lyndhurst Precision acquired fresh talent via T Level placements. Technical Manager Andy Wilding shares their experience of hosting T Level students and the positive impact they made on the business.
Boosting productivity
Gary Howard, General Manager of Redpack Packaging Machinery found that the T Level students he hosted added value to the business because they were doing real work. “We didn’t have to simulate anything for their college course, they were doing the work of any other employee.”
Increasing workplace diversity
T Level placements can also increase workforce diversity. Gavin Chadwick, Technical & Training Manager at R&B commented, “Over the past 2 years we've hosted 12 T Level placement students and taken 5 of them on." Learn more about how R&B Switchgear Group increased diversity and recruitment of key skills by offering T Levels placements.
Benefits for aspiring engineers
Engineering is a dynamic field that spans everything from aerospace and civil engineering to software and manufacturing. T Levels offer a direct route into the sector and more than half of all T Level subjects focused on engineering and technology.
The 45-day placement is a unique opportunity for students to work alongside professionals and gain insights into how engineers work in practice. The placements help students build confidence and demonstrate their problem-solving and communications skills. This experience enables them to make more informed decisions about their future.
Expanding aspirations
If you're working with schools or young people, our careers resources can help demystify the different routes into engineering and tech:
our 'T Level explorer' leaflet helps students understand how T Levels can propel them into engineering
our 'All routes into engineering' booklet can help young people find the right pathway for them
Increasing confidence
"I'm doing all my practical skills, learning how to weld, how to fabricate, how to use milling and lathes, using CNC machines, laser cutters, water jet cutters." Design and Manufacturing T Level student Danial from Burnley is now confident about pursuing a degree apprenticeship after his placement with BAE in Samesbury.
