Northumberland College is gearing up to deliver new technical qualifications for school leavers looking to pursue a career in health or early years education.
From September 2022, the college will be offering T Levels to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in their chosen industry.
The two-year courses – which are equivalent to three A-Levels – have been designed with leading businesses and employers, combining classroom learning with an extended placement and can lead straight into skilled employment, university, an apprenticeship or to a higher education course at Northumberland College.
Students will have the choice of two specialist pathways in Education and Childcare or Health (Adult Nursing) learning in Ashington Campus’ state-of-the-art Health Hub while completing a 45-day placement with a national or local employer.
Warick Stephenson, Associate Principal for Technical at Northumberland College, said: “We are delighted to be offering T Levels to give our students another way of achieving their career goals through higher technical learning.
“T Level qualifications bring significant benefits to young people and employers by identifying and addressing skills gaps. T Levels have been designed in collaboration with the priority sectors, preparing the workforce of the future for careers where jobs currently exist and where the need is predicted to grow.
“We are looking forward to supporting our students in gaining the essential skills and knowledge required by industry, and helping them progress into skilled employment, university and higher-level study or apprenticeships.”
Education and Childcare students will study topics such as child development, safeguarding and special educational needs, as well as the role of families and support agencies. Specialising in Early Years Education, they will put everything they learn into practice with a substantial industry placement with a school or nursery, giving them invaluable experience.
Those choosing Health (Adult Nursing) will develop a general understanding of the healthcare sector, core science concepts, managing information and data, providing person-centred care and the principles of good scientific and clinical practice. Students will also work within a local health and care setting which will give them the chance to learn what a career in the sector is like.
For school leavers who are not yet ready to study a T Level, Northumberland College is offering a 1-year ‘Transition Programme’ in Health and Care to give them relevant knowledge, practical and study skills, work experience and support tailored to their chosen subject area.
We are the largest further education provider in Northumberland with campuses throughout the county.
Our student transport scheme is available for eligible students to make getting to and from college as easy as possible.
Our extensive re-development programme will create outstanding new facilities.
