Alec Barnden (18) from Derby studied T Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction at Derby College and has now secured an apprenticeship with Bowmer + Kirkland, one of the largest and most successful, privately owned construction and development groups in the UK, as a trainee Quantity Surveyor.
He represented the College along with Professional Construction teacher Mark Welsford at the event which was a celebration of the T Level programmes, hosted by Baroness Barran MBE, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.
Derby College was the first FE College in the East Midlands to offer the first tranche of T-Levels in September 2020 in Design, Surveying and Planning; Education and Childcare and Digital Production – all of which are equivalent to three A-Levels.
The two-year programmes involve 80% of time spent in College and 20% on an industrial placement.
They have been developed in collaboration with employers so that they meet the skills requirements of industry and better prepare students for the workplace with progression routes either straight into work, higher/degree apprenticeships or full-time university programmes.
T Levels are now available to study in a wide range of subjects with DCG offering courses in the original three subjects as well as Civil Engineering, Digital Support Services, Engineering and Manufacturing: Design & Development, Health, Science as well as Management and Administration.
Alec Barnden, who completed his work placement at Bowmer + Kirkland whilst at College, said: “It was an honour to represent Derby College at the celebration event. The T Level has given me a stepping stone into the real world and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
