T Level success for digital students

Three students from MCDigital who have been piloting the brand new T Level qualifications have been offered apprenticeships after impressing their employers.

T Levels, which will launch in 2021, will be equivalent to three A Levels and will include a work placement of at least 45 days- allowing students to get essential hands-on experience in their chosen industry.

Cameron Hawkes, Jerome Stephenson and Jon Young, all trialled the new qualification this year and have all been offered paid employment after making a good impression on their T Level placements.

Jerome and Jon, who are both studying Level 3 IT have been completing work-based placements with Ovo Studio, a Digital Marketing Agency based in Skelton and have now both been offered Level 4 apprenticeships, specialising in Digital Marketing.

Jerome said “The T Level qualification has been very challenging but also rewarding. It has been great to get out in the workplace and develop my skills. It’s been a good way to gain experience and build my CV. It’s also a bonus to have been offered an apprenticeship for next year! I’m excited to build upon my career at Ovo Studio.”

Jon said “I would 100% recommend studying for a T Level with Middlesbrough College. It has been fantastic to get worthwhile and meaningful experience in the industry and my skills have definitely improved. I was over the moon when I was offered my apprenticeship.

Cameron Hawkes, a Level 2 Networking and Security student has been working at Tascomp, an Industrial Automation Software & Systems company based in Billingham. Cameron has impressed his employer and has been offered a higher apprenticeship with the company.

Cameron said “I have really enjoyed studying at Middlesbrough College and working with Tascomp on my T Level placement. The course is so interesting and it has been great to put the skills I am learning at College into practice in the workplace. My T Level has definitely opened doors for me and helped to kick-start my career.”

Ashley Tizard, the Director of Tascomp said “Although he was very quiet at the start, Cameron has performed excellently and has gradually become more confident with the tasks he has been set. 

“He started in our workshop building electrical panels, PCs, etc. and he will be continuing this with work in the Applications team; delivering systems to customers, and dealing with support calls.  Rather than a just few days of work experience, the T-Level approach is enabling him to get a good basic grounding in IT related elements at the College, whilst gaining some hands-on experience with real projects that are developed over a number of weeks for real customers.” 

“Cameron will be progressing with the company in part-time employment whilst also studying a part time degree in Computing with Middlesbrough College which will mean that he can continue to work with us as he develops his skills.  This is a win-win from our perspective!”

Find out more about T Levels here.