Tech Ed Study: Progression of the second T Level cohort and comparator learners

About the study

Ongoing reforms to technical education, initiated by the previous government, are designed to improve the quality of technical education and therefore the technical skills needed to boost productivity in the UK economy.

A key aspect of these reforms is the introduction of T Levels: two-year level 3 technical courses which offer learners an alternative to existing study options after GCSEs. The first cohort of T Level learners began their programmes in autumn 2020.

This report draws on data from the three longitudinal surveys of the second T Level cohort, who started their T Level course in 2021. To compare learners’ experiences across different level 3 courses, a comparator sample of learners on A level and level 3 technical courses were also surveyed. 

Topics include:

• Learner destinations and outcomes after the course ended, including current work and study, whether they have stayed within the field of their course (for T Level learners, either the general field or specifically within T Level occupational specialism).
• The report also looks at how these outcomes related to learner’ characteristics and course experiences.
• Future plans, including intentions for future work or study, and factors shaping their career decisions.
• Reflections on their course, including how well or not their programme prepared them for their current work/study and the role of key elements such as the industry placement.

2,120 learners completed an interview (a response rate of 38%).

Methodology

Longitudinal web-CATI survey conducted in three waves from 2022 to 2024 as part of a larger study of several cohorts of technical education learners. For more information please refer to the technical annex report available here.