National Apprenticeship Week - T Level Thursday
12th February 2026
T Levels are a relatively new qualification for students aged 16 to 19 in England who’ve finished GCSEs.
T Levels are an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, giving young people the technical and practical skills needed to be an asset in the workplace. They combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement. Each T Level is equivalent in size to three A levels and helps students develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace over a two-year programme of study. Employers have worked alongside government to design T Level programmes that deliver the skills organisations need.
Every T Level student completes an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days either in day release or blocks). With approximately 20% of the programme being spent on an industry placement, T Levels give you a unique opportunity to help develop new talent in your industry, and get young people work-ready and helping address the skills shortages employers face.
Core content as well as highly specialised scientific knowledge
The Science T Level is a course that prepares students with a general understanding of working within the science sector and includes knowledge of working in a regulated environment, principles of good scientific practice, understanding scientific methodologies and experimental techniques. The course includes core content including cell structure, genetics and microbiology as well as highly specialised scientific knowledge on topics such as enzyme and protein structure, pathogens, and analytic techniques.
Resilience, the UK’s Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence, has developed a bespoke Workplace Accelerator programme specifically aligned with the T Level curriculum for Enhanced Members of their community. Delivered over five days in a college setting the programme uses a combination of delivery methods to bring to life students’ knowledge and how it applies to the sector. Engaging delivery methods include technical lectures, interactive workshops, virtual reality and structured independent research and covers topics across the curriculum:
Module 1: Introduction to the UK Medicines Manufacturing Sector
Module 2: Focus on the Patient, Quality and Good Manufacturing Practices
Module 3: Health & Safety and Sustainable Manufacturing Technology
Module 4: Organisations values and Expected Behaviours
Module 5: Career Progression, Interview Skills and CV Writing
Bringing medicines manufacturing, quality, safety and career pathways to life
This was recently delivered to Resilience Enhanced Member MidKent College.
The college’s science lecturer, Dr Alison Ackroyd, who is a T Level Ambassador and Chair of the Science T Level CoP said:
‘’Thank you so much for delivering the Workplace Accelerator Training Course with our students over the last two weeks.
“The way you brought medicines manufacturing, quality, safety and career pathways to life aligned so perfectly with the aims of T Level Science and with what we want our learners to experience as preparation for real laboratory environments and future employment.
“The XR elements were amazing, making the science feel authentic and engaging while giving students a genuine insight into workplace expectations and interview preparation.
“You covered a significant breadth of the Core A content and provided highly tailored advice that our students found both accessible and motivating.
“It was very much a win-win for us: our students gained confidence, insight and inspiration and we learned a great deal as educators alongside them! “
“The certificates of completion with the modules, KSB and personal statement written on the back are a touch of genius - so unique and useful for that time when they apply for their next steps.
“Thank you again for the care, professionalism and enthusiasm you brought to the course.
“It has made a real and lasting difference for our learners and our team.
“I am still pinching myself at how lucky we have been to benefit from five days of training with you and what will be paid forward from this event.”