Consultation on the draft outline content for the craft and design T Level

Introduction

We are running a consultation on the draft outline content for the T Level in the creative and design route – craft and design (containing the following specialisms – ceramics maker, furniture maker, jewellery maker, and textiles and fashion maker).  This content has been developed by a T Level panel of experts and will be used by awarding bodies to develop this technical qualification.

T Levels are new two-year, technical study programmes that will be available across 11 industry routes. Alongside apprenticeships and A levels, T Levels will be one of the three major options available to students aged 16 to 19.

T Level panels of experts set out the knowledge and skills required for each T Level, based on the same occupational standards as apprenticeships. This ensures that individuals taking T Levels can develop the technical knowledge and skills required by employers in that industry.  

The first three T Levels (in construction, digital, and education and childcare) were made available to students from September 2020.

We are now consulting on the outline content for further T Levels, which will be rolled out from 2023 onwards.  The craft and design T Level will be among them.  

The Institute oversees the development and approval of the standards, qualifications and occupational maps for T Levels and apprenticeships. In addition to our role in approving apprenticeship standards, the Institute’s route panels – made up of employers and industry experts – scrutinise the outline content for all T Levels. The Institute will also award and manage contracts for the development of T Levels.

The T Level panel of experts for craft and design is made up of the following members:

• Annie Warburton (panel chair) – CEO, Cockpit Arts
• Christian Notley MBE – UK Training Manager & Chief Expert, WorldSkills
• Emma Forrest Leigh – Vice Principal, Grimsby Institute
• Holly Burton – National Schools Programme Producer, V&A
• John West – Director of Skills & Training, UK Fashion & Textile Association
• Judith Rosser-Davies – Head of Government Relations & Education, British Fashion Council
• Sarah Atkinson – Head of Academic Standards, University of the Arts London
• Tor Freeman – Freelance Writer & Illustrator
• Keith Brymer-Jones – Director, Head of Design, Make International Ltd and TV judge for The Great Pottery Throw Down
• Jacqueline Clark – Independent Potter and Learning & Participation Officer, Leach Pottery
• Emily Johnson – Creative Director, Co-Founder and Owner, 1882 Ltd
• Majeda Clarke – Independent Textile Artist
• Brogan Cox – Creative Director, Sebastian Cox Ltd
• Rosie Wolfenden MBE – Managing Director and Co-Founder, Tatty Devine Ltd
• Eliza Higginbottom – Creative Director, Yunus & Eliza Ltd
• Peter Marigold – Independent Furniture Maker and Director & Founder, FORMcard Ltd
• Rachel Gamble – Human Resources Director, John Smedley Ltd

Why we are seeking your views

We are seeking your views to help ensure that the content captures the right knowledge, skills and performance outcomes that will enable students to enter employment within their chosen occupational specialisms. Our route panels of employer experts will take your views into consideration when scrutinising the outline content documents.

Please respond by midnight on Friday 15 January 2021.

Take the consultation

What happens next

We will consider your responses as we scrutinise the outline content for the above T Level.

We will publish the final content for this T Level pathway in March 2021.