AV Dawson supports Middlesbrough College T Level student placement
Middlesbrough College has chosen AV Dawson as a partner to deliver the first trials of the new industry-backed T level qualifications for the region.
AV Dawson has welcomed Middlesbrough College engineering student Joshua Richards to join its engineering team as part of a trials of this revolutionary new initiative.
T levels – a new programme starting in September 2021 – were developed to follow on from GCSEs and will be equivalent to 3 A levels.
The two-year course has been designed in collaboration with businesses and employers to make sure the course meets the need of industry and prepares students for the world of work and will become one of the main choices for students after GCSEs.
Middlesbrough College is the only general further education college in the Tees Valley that has been selected by the Department of Education to deliver the newly developed T Levels.
The college, working in partnership with AV Dawson, hopes that the programme will provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door into skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.
The T level program offers a mix of on-the-job training, along with classroom learning.
Joshua, has recently started his placement with AV Dawson and will spend two days a week, 45 days in total, working in its engineering department, shadowing its onsite electrician.
Mark Wells, AV Dawson’s head of engineering, said: “It is imperative that we put in-creased focus on narrowing the skills gap in the region, especially with potential for further ‘skills drain’ in the area.
“It is fantastic that Middlesborugh College has been chosen to deliver the T level programme – this will help showcase the vast array of opportunities currently available to students in the area.
“The T level programme gives students real world, hands on experience. It is a vital introduction to the working environment that goes one step further than the traditional work experience placement.
“Josh will gain real insight into how the engineering department in AV Dawson works, he will be actively involved in our engineering projects and not just watching from the sidelines.
“These types of experiences are invaluable to students.”
Louise Croce, AV Dawson’s head of HR, added: “As a family business with 95% of our workforce coming from Tees Valley, it is important that we actively work with local education centres to pro-mote the opportunities on Teesside.
“Students taking part in the T level programme could poten-tially be the next generation of our workforce.”
• Pictured above: T Levels student Joshua Richards with AV Dawson and Middlesbrough College staff members (L-R) Louise Croce, Mark Wells, both of AV Dawson. Joshua Richards, Middlesborugh College student, Yvonne Short, Middlesbrough College.