College teams up with BAE Systems for T Levels

Furness College has teamed up with BAE Systems to offer up to ten industry placements as part of its new T Level programme for future engineers.

The college launches its T Level in Engineering & Manufacturing – a technical equivalent to three A levels – at the Channelside campus in September 2022.

As part of this two-year qualification for 16-19 year olds, students complete a 45-day industry placement to prepare them for employment.

BAE Systems is supporting the new qualification with up to ten placements at its site in Barrow for school leavers who want to pursue their dream career in engineering.

Students will complete the classroom component of the course in the college’s state-of-the-art £4m Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre. They will also undertake an employer-set project to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of engineering design principles.

Sue Hannan, assistant principal for curriculum, said the college was delighted to have the backing of BAE Systems for the compulsory placements.

“The T Level attracts the brightest young learners and gives them a new technical-focused route to achieve their career goals. The placement gives them a head start to get the skills they need for the job they want,” she said.

“We are really pleased to have BAE Systems on board for our Engineering & Manufacturing T Level industry placement and we hope that they will see the calibre of these students and the contribution they can make to the sector.”

BAE Systems Submarines Head of Early Careers Delivery Phil Athersmith said: “We’re delighted to be offering placements as part of the Furness College T Level Programme. This area has a proud history of producing world-class engineers and we are committed to maintaining that tradition.”

Students on the T Level in Engineering & Manufacturing will have the choice of two specialist pathways either Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering and complete the 45-day industry placement.

T Levels have been designed in collaboration with businesses and can lead straight into skilled employment or give students the chance to progress to university, higher apprenticeship or to the HNC programme at Furness College.

Students on the Engineering & Manufacturing T Level will learn about core engineering, including essential mathematics for engineering and manufacturing, mechanical principles, project and programme management, working in the sector and professional responsibilities, attitudes and behaviours.

The entry requirements for the Engineering & Manufacturing T Level at Furness College are five GCSEs at grade 5 or above to include science with a grade 6 in Maths. Full information about the course is available at www.furness.ac.uk

The college also offers T Levels in the areas of digital, leading to careers in design and development, health leading to nursing careers, education and childcare leading to careers in primary teaching and healthcare science leading to careers in radiography, lab work and other health sector careers.

Click here to find out more about T Levels.

Photo: Students on the T Level in Engineering & Manufacturing will complete the classroom component of the course in the college’s state-of-the-art £4m Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre while BAE Systems will offer up to ten industry placements as part of the course.