Are work placements mandatory in btecs?

[miceonabranch]

Ds2 is doing a Level 3 Applied Science Btec at the local college. He's been told to fix up a work experience placement, but everywhere he approaches either doesn't reply or can't accommodate him for whatever reason.

He's asked his tutor several times, but he doesn't speak NT and can't understand what she means in her answer.

He finishes his course next year. If he doesn't manage to fix up a placement will he fail the course? I've asked for her email address to email her myself, but I thought I'd ask here because it's now the weekend and he's panicking about it.

What are the others on the course doing? Placements are part of T levels but I haven't come across it in BTECs (mine did L3 but not science).

The others haven't been able to obtain work experience either.

The requirement for the first year (level 2) was waived because of covid.

His peers have been saying they're supposed to have it. The college are hopeless, vague and flaky.

not mandatory for L3 applied science at all.

Many colleges being pressurised and incentivised into moving to T levels which do have mandatory work placement in them. I in one - college even paid a 3rd party company to arrange placements. Was nigh on impossible. Businesses only wanted over 18s with their own transport etc. Science work is highly regulated and skilled. few places want a work placement student doing 1 day a week for 2 years or 2 days week for one. it's little benefit to them especially if they are under 18.

College will back down if pressed as they don't want to lose a student or record a fail. It affects their funding and stats. They are likely to keep trotting out the policy though. T levels, especially in science are a poorly thought out idea,

I agree (I'm a scientist). A member of staff would have to spend the entire time training and supervising them.

He's emailing his tutor to try and clarify, but it looks like it might be okay. Dh has found some info online which says it's desirable, but not mandatory.