THREE Sussex colleges will be among the first in the country to offer the Government’s new “technical A-level” course.

The new T-levels will be available for the first time two years from now to students who begin their GCSEs this September.

The Government has announced the names of the 50 schools which will be the first to offer the new practical, skills-focused two-year diploma – and three Sussex institutions have made the cut.

Chichester College Group, in Chichester, Sussex Coast College Hastings and The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham will all teach T-levels from 2020.

They will be on a par with A-levels and will provide young people with a choice between technical and academic education post 16.

Courses in construction, digital skills and education and childcare will be available in the first year of the programme, with a further 22 courses rolled out in stages from 2021 covering sectors including finance, accounting, engineering, manufacturing, and design.

As the colleges were named, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Everyone should be able to have access to an education that suits them, but we know that for those that don’t choose to go to university, the routes into further technical and vocational training can be hard to navigate.

“That’s why we’re making the most significant reform to advanced technical education in 70 years to ensure young people have gold standard qualifications open to them whichever route they choose. T-levels provide a high-quality, technical alternative to A-levels ensuring thousands of people across the country have the skills we need to compete globally – a vital part of our modern industrial strategy.”

Anne Milton MP, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, told The Argus: “I am delighted to announce that young people in Sussex will be among the first to take T-levels – a new technical qualification, on a par with A- levels.

“Nine colleges in the South East will lead the way in teaching T-levels from 2020, including three in Sussex.

“T-levels are an exciting new qualification that will offer students the chance to study a rigorous course backed by a high-quality work placement in their chosen field.

“The first T-levels offered will be in construction, digital and education and childcare.

“On a recent visit to the South East I met a woman with children who decided to change careers and is now working her way through as construction course.

“Huge applause for the employers who have shown just what a difference they can make, coming together to get young people into construction.

“Sussex may be known particularly for the beauty of its countryside, but it is also a major international gateway for people and businesses.

“The area is a powerful driver of the UK economy and in Brighton, for instance, has a high density of businesses involved in media, particularly digital or “new media”.

“T-levels will be instrumental in delivering the skilled workforce that the South East’s employers are crying out for.”

FACTFILE

What is a T Level? T Levels are a brand new qualification that young people will be able to study after their GCSEs – this will be a technical equivalent to an A Level.

When are these coming in to place? The very first T Level subjects will be taught from September 2020 in more than 50 colleges.

What kind of thing are taught? The first subjects that can be studied in 2020 will be Digital, Construction and Education and Childcare.

How long does a T Level take? T Levels will be 2 year full time programmes, roughly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels.

What qualifications do you need to study a T Level? As T Levels will be technical equivalent as A Levels, it is likely that students will need good GCSE results.