Celebrities unite to tackle skills shortages across industries 

A group of celebrities has come together to champion T-Levels, hailing them as a game-changing qualification for their industries.

The group, named the T-team, want to raise awareness of how T-Levels bridge the divide between classroom and workplace, equipping young people with the practical skills and real-world experience that employers crave in specific industries.

The line-up includes architect Laura Jane Clark, star of BBC’s Your Home Made Perfect, who is backing T-Levels in construction and the immediate, advanced experience they can offer young people.

Clark joins Tim Campbell MBE, from The Apprentice, and TV’s Dr Zoe Williams.

A short film from the T-team has been released to help parents understand how the skills taught through T-Levels could benefit their child’s confidence in their future careers, and how the industry placement aspect of the course will help them to build their CV from an early age.  

The T-Level is a nationally recognised, career-focused qualification for 16 to 19-year olds, which is equivalent to three A Levels.

Each two-year course has been designed with employers from multiple sectors and combines classroom study with a 45-day industry placement to prepare young people for the world of work.

Commenting on the benefits of the courses, Clark said: “The T-Level in construction opens up so many avenues for young people and the 45-day industry placement gives them the direct experience they need to apply their knowledge in practice. 

“I didn’t start learning some of the T-Level syllabus until my third year of university so it’s a brilliant way to fast-track you into the industry. I also had the opportunity to speak to a second year T-Level student and it’s clear to see her mum (who is an architect) is so proud to see how far she’s come and, like me, is also so impressed with how much knowledge she has gained.”

Read more: T-Levels: a vocational route into construction