T Levels

[Blahblahblah81]

Looking for advice on T Levels for my son who has just come off his A Level course. He found the subjects he chose quite dull as well as some other challenges and we're now looking at a possible change to either Btec (3Alevel equivalent) or a T Level in Animal Management and Care.

I'm a bit concerned as the college has only just started running the T Level so there's not a whole lot of experience with it and also about finding his work experience placement as I've heard this can be a real challenge too.

My grand daughter did a T level in Animal Management and Care and is now on a degree course. She had to do 300 hours of work experience I think and she found a cattery that took her on. Now she is at uni she works p/t in a dog kennel and does dog and cat sitting. She loves the course and is doing her research project at Colchester Zoo.

Different subject but my daughter did a,T-Level and she didn't have to find her placements herself, she was allocated them by college (although for the second one she requested a particular place). She found it a great qualification/course and has now gone on to uni.

The college should find the placements for the students as they are a mandatory part of the course. In reality, if your child has any relevant connections or part time work that can be verified, they might be able to count those hours towards the T Level requirements.

I don't know specifically about Animal care as my son has been applying for Heath Care but every college open day we have been too have advised they find the placement for them. I would question the college about this and choose one who find the placement for the students. I think this was a problem when T levels started but seems much more standard now that placements are organised by the college.

This is very useful, thank you. I think I know the answer (as I overheard) a conversation but I will check.

How did your kids find the academic/theory side? The tutor we spoke to was at pains to tell us that it was very academic and if you struggled with A Levels, you'd struggle at T Level.

Do you have a choice between the T-Level and the BTEC, or is it a point of doing whatever the local college runs?
I'd be tempted with a choice to do the BTEC as they are better embedded but I'm guessing you wouldn't get a choice.
I have the impression that T-Levels are a bit more academic than Extended BTEC Diploma, but I haven't paid enough attention to be certain.

DD did 3 years of Animal Care levels1&2 and has done work experience at kennels, groomers, vets and reptile shop. Level 3 students should find it easier. (Finding paid work is another matter however.)

Currently we're sitting at - Btech extended certificate in animal management (equivalent to 1 A Level) + 1Online A Level, prob history or politics.
Btech in Esports (equivalent to 3 A Levels)
T-Level in Animal management and Behaviour - prob looking like the least likely at this point.

We have 2 colleges nearby that run the above courses so all are options

@Blahblahblah81 have you been to the colleges and talked to the tutors etc? I only say this as DS wanted to do an Extended Level 3 Btec but a lot of the colleges we have been to have said they are not taking any new students on those as they are being phased out to be replaced by T and V levels.

Yes, we have visited both of the college doing the BTECs and they're both taking new students.