Department looks to create platform to support work placements and issue results

Credit: Antonio Chaves/CC BY-SA 4.0

The Department for Education is planning to construct a range of digital tools in support of the new T Level qualifications.

T Levels, which are being introduced in September 2020, are technically focused or vocational two-year qualifications that include a mix of study and work placement. Subjects being offered include digital, legal, catering, and construction, and one T Level is designed to be the worth the same as the three A Levels. 

Ahead of their launch next year, the DfE is looking to build a digital service to support students, teachers, employers, and other users.  The department has identified three functions it considers priorities for the new service, the first of which is “marketing and communications”. Development of this component is underway, the DfE said, with the tool scheduled to launch next month.

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A discovery phase has also already taken place for a service dedicated to providing results and certifications, with this project entering alpha phase last month.

The third core component the DfE wishes to include in the T Level service is a function for “matching providers and employers to facilitate industry placements for students”. 

The DfE has issued a contract notice seeking an external tech supplier to support the work of its in-house teams. The winning bidder will be awarded a six-month contract due to commence on 1 October. The engagement will likely be worth up to £4m across “multiple statements of work”, the DfE said, although this value could shrink or increase.

Bids for the project are open until 15 August, after which the department expects to evaluate about three potential providers.

The DfE said: “A T Level digital service will help to support the rollout of the qualifications, achieving a number of objectives including raising awareness and understanding; facilitating enrolment on the qualifications; enabling providers to source suitable employer placements; and providing timely results and certification to students.”