The leading social platform FutureLearn has announced a partnership with the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), which has just been awarded a major contract to deliver T-Level Professional Development (TLPD) by the Department for Education (DfE).
As part of the agreement, FutureLearn will administer the online training element of the TLPD offering, educating the further education workforce and industry professionals who will deliver the new qualifications when they come into effect in September this year.
Touted as the technical alternative to A-Levels, T-Levels will follow on from GCSE-level study. These two-year courses will be the equivalent of pursuing three A-Level subjects, and have been developed alongside businesses and employers to ensure they serve the needs of industry. Through a blend of class-based learning and ‘on-the-job experience, graduates will leave prepared to succeed as they enter the world of work.
In related news: New CDEI report calls for transparence in social media regulation
Working in collaboration with the ETF, FutureLearn will launch 16 online programmes to support post-16 education providers in delivering T-Levels.
“Students, teachers and employers alike are excited about the impact T-Levels are about to make on further education,” said Simon Nelson, chief executive of FutureLearn. “The introduction of these new qualifications is possibly the largest significant change in further education the country has seen over the past twenty years. At FutureLearn, we are committed to ensuring that the professionals at the forefront of these changes are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to shape the future of learning.”
David Russell, chief executive of the Education and Training Foundation, said: “The advent of the first T-Levels in September is a major milestone heralding the government’s intention to invest in the prestige and quality of technical education.
“As England’s expert body for professional development in post-16 education, the ETF is delighted to have secured this very significant contract. In doing so, it was important that we were able to strengthen the accessibility and impact of the available support. This is why we chose to work with FutureLearn and are confident this partnership will provide high quality T-Level professional development.”