The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has called on the UK Government to "be realistic" when it comes to the capabilities and work-readiness of students who have completed construction T Levels.

The organisation made the call after Education Secretary Damian Hinds revealed the first 52 colleges and post-16 providers who will deliver the new T-level courses.

T Levels are courses, which will be on a par with A levels and will provide young people with a choice between technical and academic education post 16. Courses in construction, digital and education & childcare will be first taught from September 2020. A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover sectors such as finance & accounting, engineering & manufacturing, and creative & design.

However, FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry said the Government "must be realistic about how much can be achieved in two years of largely college-based learning".

"The idea that a student who has completed a T Level in bricklaying is able to call themselves a qualified bricklayer is not credible," he said.

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"Although T Levels include a three-month work placement, when the rest of the individual’s knowledge and skills are acquired in the classroom, in construction they will need more time onsite, post-T Level, before they can and should describe themselves as being qualified in that trade. Small and medium-sized construction firms, which do the bulk of training in our industry, would rather view T Levels as a rich pool of talent through which to find apprentices."

Continuing, Mr Berry said the Government has listened to the industry's concerns and stated its intention to make work placements "as flexible as possible".

"In construction, work placements are not popular or common so persuading sufficient numbers of employers to offer these opportunities will be challenging," he said.

"The Government being open to the three-month placement being achieved through more than one employer is therefore vital. However, to ensure work placements are as attractive as possible, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) should consider offering financial incentives to employers through CITB Grant. We know, for example, that a typical construction SME is likely to shell out an additional £500 for their Employers’ Liability insurance because of having a young person onsite for three months. This is on top of the resource needed to closely supervise that young person. If employers can be financially incentivised somehow, it would be helpful."

Mr Berry added if implemented properly, T Levels have the potential to "provide parity of esteem between vocational and academic education".

"Although there are challenges regarding the implementation of T Levels, we are committed to working with the Government constructively to overcome those challenges," he said.

"If the UK is to increase its productivity, we need more young people, and their parents and teachers, to recognise the value of a career in construction. With Brexit just around the corner, this has never been so important."

(LM/MH)