Past Events

Technical Education at the Crossroads: Boosting T Level Deliverability

Date:     Wednesday 13th May 2026

Time:     10:00am - 3:45pm

Venue:  Digital Conference


  • 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 a central pillar of England’s technical education system. Following record growth in 2024, with 25,500 new starters and nearly 300 providers delivering courses, attention is now firmly focused on ensuring quality, consistency and long-term sustainability as provision scales nationally.

In response to the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation, the Government has set out a clearer direction for reform — confirming plans to simplify the qualifications landscape and introduce a three-pathway system of A Levels, T Levels and the Further Study Pathway. Alongside this, recent updates to T Level size, content and assessment aim to improve manageability, accessibility and take-up, supporting wider participation across providers and learners. These developments mark a significant shift from policy design to practical delivery at scale. Providers are now being asked to expand provision while ensuring programmes remain deliverable, high-quality and aligned with employer needs.

This Policy Foresight digital conference offers a timely opportunity for key stakeholders from FE providers, schools, awarding organisations and employers to understand what these reforms mean in practice, explore how delivery models are evolving, and share strategies for scaling T Levels successfully within this new, simplified system. Participants will also examine how providers can strengthen recruitment and retention, support learner progression through the Further Study Pathway into T Levels, and build sustainable partnerships with employers to deliver high-quality industry placements.

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 implications of the Government’s response to the Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation and what it means for delivery, progression and system design
  • Explore how recent reforms to T Level size, content and assessment will impact curriculum planning, delivery models and staff workload
  • Gain insights into expanding and strengthening industry placements, including more flexible and scalable delivery models
  • 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

    News - 15th December 2025: Major expansion of colleges to train next generation of workers

    Government consultation response - March 2026: Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways

    News - 10th March 2026: FE WEEK: Ministers shrink T Levels to boost take-up and manageability

    News - 15th April 2026: Next generation empowered through Technical Excellence Colleges

    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 Government’s response to the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, including the role of T Levels in the evolving three-pathway system
  • Understanding how ongoing reforms to T Level size, content, assessment and industry placements aim to improve manageability, accessibility and take-up
  • Understanding how continued funding and investment will support sustainable growth and delivery capacity

    • 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 clearer pathways between the Further Study Pathway and T Levels
  • Understanding how recent reforms may impact student accessibility, recruitment and completion rates
  • 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

    • Catherine Sezen, Director of Education Policy, Association of Colleges

    Jo Fowler, Director of Qualifications, City & Guilds

    Andy Long, Head of UK Student Recruitment and Access, Keele University

    11:50am

    Panel Session One: Questions and Discussion

    12:15pm

    Comfort Break

    1:00pm

    Panel Session Two:

    Improving Deliverability – 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 simplified qualification pathways, refreshed specifications and assessment reforms
  • Responding to recent reforms to reduce T Level size and assessment burden — implications for curriculum design, delivery models and staff workload
  • Delivering consistent and high-quality T Levels while improving manageability and sustainability for providers

    • Suzanne Hall, Head of Product Management and Strategy, Pearson

    Ashley Grute, Assistant Principal - A Levels and Vocational Curriculum, Alton, HSDC Colleges

    Andrew McArthur, Business Lecturer, Gateshead College; T Level Ambassador, Department for Education

    1:50pm

    Panel Session Two: Questions and Discussion

    2:15pm

    Comfort Break

    2:25pm

    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
  • Exploring how increased flexibility in industry placements and programme design can support wider participation and delivery at scale
  • 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
  • Overcoming barriers to scaling placements, including capacity constraints, employer readiness and regional disparities

    • John Yarham, Chief Executive, Careers & Enterprise Company

    Simon Shaw, T Level Industry Placement Specialist, SDN Mesma Group

    Simon Bone, Strategic Workforce Project Manager, NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board; Chair, T Level Ambassador Network (South)

    Gert Rohrmann, Training and Development Manager, Smart Infrastructure Division, Siemens

    3:25pm

    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

    Keele Uni

    Andy Long, Head of UK Student Recruitment and Access, Keele University

    Gateshead College

    Andrew McArthur, Business Lecturer, Gateshead College; T Level Ambassador, Department for Education

    HSDC

    Ashley Grute, Assistant Principal - A Levels and Vocational Curriculum, Alton, HSDC Colleges

    City & Guilds

    Jo Fowler, Director of Qualifications, City & Guilds

    NHS Bristol ICB

    Simon Bone, Strategic Workforce Project Manager, NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board; Chair, T Level Ambassador Network (South)

    Pearson

    Suzanne Hall, Head of Product Management and Strategy, Pearson

    Siemens

    Gert Rohrmann, Training and Development Manager, Smart Infrastructure Division, Siemens

    CEC

    John Yarham, Chief Executive, Careers & Enterprise Company

    SDN-Mesma

    Simon Shaw, T Level Industry Placement Specialist, SDN Mesma Group

    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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