The first of the new T-level qualifications will be taught from 2020, Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced.

The first three T levels in Digital, Construction, and Education and Childcare will contain content developed by leading industry professionals including EDF, Morgan Sindall and Skanska.

First announced in 2016 and backed by £500 million every year in additional funding, the qualifications are a key milestone in the Government's efforts to change technical education in the UK.

The Department for Education has set up a number of industry panels for each T-Level course. Julian Weightman, a Board member at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and owner of Board Craft Group, has been selected to chair the construction panel in a move that has been welcomed by the FMB.

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Education Secretary Justine Greening said: "We are transforming technical education in this country, developing our home grown talent so that our young people have the world class skills and knowledge that employers need.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, it is more important than ever that we create an outstanding further education and skills system, giving all young people the opportunity to fulfil their potential and deliver a better future for our country.

"As part of making sure that the technical education ladder reaches every bit as high as the academic one, I want to see T levels that are as rigorous and respected as A levels."

As part of the initiative, all T level programmes will include a substantial, high quality work placement‎ so that students can apply their learning in a real workplace environment.

The full T levels Action Plan is available to view here.

(LM/MH)