Recommendation 4

T Levels are intended to address skills gaps and meet employers’ needs, but they cannot quickly be adapted to meet this objective. T Levels have been developed and approved by employers to, for example, better meet their needs and improve students’ employment prospects. It will take time to develop course content – the Department and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) update qualification content each year, but it can take a minimum 18 months for an occupational standard, which provides the basis of a T Level, to be changed. T Levels will need to meet evolving skills gaps. For example, in February 2025, the government announced an increase in defence spending to create new jobs, skills and opportunities across the country, and in April 2025, £600 million to train up to 60,000 more construction workers. recommendation The Department should work with awarding organisations to consider options for developing and reviewing T Level content quickly to maximise the responsiveness of T Level qualifications to changing skills needs in the most efficient way.