Recommendation 16

The Department acknowledged that the move to T levels was challenging, particularly delivering work placements which were an important element of the new qualifications.28 The ESFA emphasised the additional funding it had given to colleges to create work placements, and said that it had had positive feedback from colleges and students involved in the first T levels. It told us it was working hard to engage with employers, but acknowledged that people did not always know what T levels were.29 It accepted that work placements had become more difficult as organisations had moved to working virtually. It was working with Ministers to explore options, but had to make sure that the quality of experience for students would be maintained.30 27 Qq 37–38, 61, 73–77 28 Q 75 29 Qq 38, 61–62, 75 30 Q 37 12 Managing colleges’ financial sustainability 2 Government funding and support for colleges Funding arrangements