The Bedford College Group Celebrates T Levels Across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire on T Level Thursday

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, The Bedford College Group marked T Level Thursday by showcasing how it was helping young people across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire move into skilled careers…

and how its employer-led approach was supporting local businesses to fill real vacancies and build future talent.

T Levels are two-year technical qualifications studied after GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels. They combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement of at least 45 days, giving students meaningful time in the workplace to apply their learning, develop professional behaviours and build confidence. T Levels are designed around local employer needs, helping students develop the practical skills industry was actively seeking.

The Bedford College Group works with businesses across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire to ensure placements were not simply observational, but genuinely useful experiences that built job-ready skills. Employers benefit from access to motivated students trained for the realities of the workplace and increasingly view T Levels as a direct route into apprenticeships and entry-level roles, supporting recruitment and succession planning in high-demand sectors.

Shaun Cook, Principal of Tresham College said:

“T Level Thursday is a great opportunity to highlight the difference T Levels are making for young people and employers across Northamptonshire. Our students gain meaningful workplace experience and clear progression routes, while local businesses benefit from a talent pipeline shaped around real skills needs.”