Events

Upscaling T Levels: Delivering New Pathways to Success

Date:     Wednesday 13th May 2026

Time:     10:00am - 3:45pm

Venue:  ONLINE Live Conference - Check Your System / Device Compatibility


  • Event Abstract
  • Programme
  • Key Speakers
  • Who Should Attend?
  • Marketing Opportunities

With over 30,000 students now enrolled across 21 subject routes, T Levels have rapidly evolved from the pilot phase into the backbone of England’s technical education system. Following record growth in 2024, with 25,500 new starters and nearly 300 providers delivering courses, attention has now shifted to ensuring quality and sustainability as provision scales up nationally.

In October 2025, the Government published the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, reaffirming T Levels as the flagship technical qualification in England, and central to the long-term reform of post-16 education and skills. Alongside this, the launch of the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation sets out proposals to simplify the qualifications landscape — introducing new V Levels at Level 3 and replacing the current T Level Foundation Year with a new Further Study Pathway, based on Foundation Certificates. These reforms aim to create a clear three-pathway system of A Levels, T Levels and V Levels, while continuing to expand the range of T Level subjects and strengthen employer engagement, placements and progression routes.

This Policy Foresight digital conference offers a timely opportunity for key stakeholders from FE providers, schools, awarding organisations and employers to understand what the changes set out in the White Paper mean in practice, examine the potential impact of the consultation’s proposals and share views on the what the new framework could mean for learners, providers and employers. The conference will explore how T Levels can be scaled up successfully in this new landscape — addressing on-going recruitment and retention issues, strengthening local collaboration and widening industry placement partnerships.

Why Attend?

  • Digital conference featuring presentations and panel discussions with a wide range of policymakers and key officials
  • Assess the Government’s latest T Level updates including the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, and the impact of the proposals in the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation
  • Examine recent changes to industry placements guidance, including the introduction of flexible remote options, route-level placements and simulated placement activity
  • Gather knowledge on successfully designing, developing and delivering high-quality T Levels
  • Learn strategies to upscale T Levels through stronger local employer partnerships, enhanced teacher and student recruitment and retention, improved course content and expanded progression pathways
  • Share ideas with fellow participants from further education, industry, awarding bodies, employers and government
  • Take part in interactive Question Time sessions with opportunities to engage directly with all speakers
  • On demand – Exclusive access to speaker presentations and post-event resources

    • Resource - Introduction of T Levels

    Report - 24th October 2022: A Review of the Quality of T-level Courses: Interim Report

    Guidance - 23rd October 2023: T Level Industry Placements Delivery Guidance

    Guidance - 1st February 2024: T Levels: Next Steps for Providers

    Policy Paper - T Level Action Plan: 2023-2024

    News - 24th July 2024: Focused review of Post-16 qualifications reform at level 3 and below

    News - 2nd December 2024: T Level placements reformed to open up new qualification

    News - 28th April 2025: DfE T Level update March 2025

    Guidance - 9th September 2025: Supporting higher education providers to understand T Levels

    Open Consultation - Closes 12 Jan 2026: Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways

    9:30am

    Delegate Online Login

    10:00am

    Introduction by Conference Organiser

    10:05am

    Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

    Peter Borley, Associate Director, TLPD, Education and Training Foundation

    10:10am

    Keynote Session:

    T Levels and Post-16 Skills – The National Vision

  • Aligning T Levels with the Government’s long-term vision for post-16 skills and technical education reform
  • Examining the implications of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation — including the proposed Further Study Pathway and its impact on student progression and provider planning
  • Looking towards the final Curriculum and Assessment Review
  • Understanding how continued funding and capital investment will support provider growth, innovation and capacity building

    • Sophie Pinn, Deputy Director, T Levels, Department for Education

    10:30am

    Keynote Session: Questions and Discussion

    10:50am

    Comfort Break

    11:00am

    Panel Session One:

    Boosting the T Level Offer – Raising Awareness, Investing in Student Enrolment and Supporting Progression

  • Strengthening the visibility and reputation of T Levels through effective communication, outreach and careers guidance
  • Supporting learner progression through the transition from GCSE to Level 3 study, including the proposed Further Study Pathway
  • Embedding inclusion and access by supporting learners from diverse backgrounds and those with SEND
  • Enhancing student support, enrichment and pastoral guidance to improve retention, completion and progression

    • 11:50am

    Panel Session One: Questions and Discussion

    12:15pm

    Comfort Break

    1:00pm

    Panel Session Two:

    Scaling Up T Level Delivery – Building Capacity and Quality in the Teaching Workforce

  • Strengthening provider readiness and delivery capacity as participation expands across subjects and regions
  • Supporting high-quality teaching and workforce development through professional training and sector-led collaboration
  • Embedding consistency and quality assurance through refreshed specifications, assessment reforms and provider networks
  • Exploring how Skills England will ensure T Levels remain relevant, rigorous and deliverable

    • 1:50pm

    Panel Session Two: Questions and Discussion

    2:15pm

    Comfort Break

    2:30pm

    Panel Session Three:

    Scaling Up Placement Opportunities – Collaboration and Partnership Building with Industry and Employers

  • Developing strategic local and regional partnerships to expand industry placement capacity across sectors
  • Boosting flexibility – Exploring new placement models, including hybrid, simulated and route-level options, to widen access and meet employer needs
  • Strengthening employer engagement and collaboration through the Employer Support Fund and regional networks
  • Enhancing support for both employers and students throughout the placement process to improve learning outcomes and satisfaction

    • 3:20pm

    Panel Session Three: Questions and Discussion

    3:40pm

    Final Questions and Chair's Summary & Closing Comments

    3:45pm

    End of Digital Conference

    *Please note the programme and timings are subject to slight alteration without notice
    DfE

    Sophie Pinn, Deputy Director, T Levels, Department for Education

    AoC

    Catherine Sezen, Director of Education Policy, Association of Colleges

    ET-Foundation

    Peter Borley (Chair & Moderator), Associate Director, TLPD, Education and Training Foundation

    • Representatives from FE Colleges
    • Representatives from Schools
    • Headteachers
    • Deputy Headteachers
    • Local Education Authority Officers
    • Central Government Departments
    • Principals
    • Assistant & Vice Principals
    • Directors of Curriculum
    • Curriculum Managers
    • Directors of Studies
    • Directors of Quality
    • Heads of Vocational Education
    • Quality Assurance Practitioners
    • Standards Leads
    • Further Education Lecturers
    • Heads of Teaching & Learning
    • Registrars & Academic Registrars
    • Heads of Employment & Skills
    • Heads of Work-based Learning
    • Qualifications Managers
    • Teaching & Learning Specialists
    • Business Development Managers
    • Heads of Strategic Partnerships
    • Heads of Career Pathways
    • Strategic Partnership Managers
    • Neighbourhood Co-ordinators
    • Local Authority 14-19 Managers
    • Local Authority 14-19 Officers
    • Key Delivery Partners from Education & Childcare, Construction & Digital Sectors
    • Training Providers
    • Academics & Researchers
    • Industry & Private Sector
    • Awarding Bodies

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