Hundreds of students across the district will receive their GCSE results this Thursday (21 August) and begin thinking about their next steps in education.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging young people to consider T-Levels—a relatively new qualification introduced in 2020 in collaboration with employers to ensure students are work-ready when they leave education.
Laura Gornall, Education Manager for Professional Education at the Trust, said:
“T-Levels are a vocational qualification for 16–19-year-olds that combine classroom learning with significant industry placements over a two-year course.
“Equivalent to three A-Levels, they equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for skilled employment, higher apprenticeships, or further study, including university.
“They offer a blend of 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement, giving students practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge.”
T-Levels focus on practical subjects and consist of three components: an occupational specialisation, a minimum 315-hour industry placement and an employer-set project and final exam.
Students from Shipley College and Bradford College currently complete their practical placements at the Trust.
“We’ve supported T-Level placements for the past two years and are now entering our third,” Laura, a trained midwife, continued. “Students complete 315 hours in their chosen industry, attending our hospitals one to two days a week during term time.
“They’re not paid employees, but they gain valuable, hands-on experience in departments such as Emergency, Maternity, Radiology, Physiotherapy and IT.
“Health students help with patient feeding and observations, learning what it takes to become a health care assistant or registered healthcare professional, while business students support admin teams with spreadsheets, diary management, poster design, email communications, and more.”
Last year, T-Level students studying accountancy also joined the Trust’s finance department and “really enjoyed the experience,” although that course won’t be offered this academic year.
In 2023–24, 60 students completed placements at the Trust. That number is set to rise to 80 in the coming year, reflecting the growing popularity of T-Levels across the district. The students who qualify this year are the first cohort to gain their T-Level qualifications.
“The Trust benefits just as much as the students,” Laura added. “For those not pursuing higher education, there are opportunities to join us as healthcare assistants or administrators.
“Many students go on to university to study nursing, business, or accountancy—and we hope they’ll return to work with us. They already know us, and we know them. It’s a great way to grow our own workforce.”
“To students receiving their GCSE results this Thursday: please consider T-Levels. We look forward to welcoming many of you to Bradford Teaching Hospitals in the future.”
Interested in T-Levels? Contact:
- Shipley College: enquiries@shipley.ac.uk
- Bradford College: hello@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
- T-Level placements at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, speak to Laura on 01274 36 4525