The first cohort of Digital T Level students are studying at Northumberland College.

The college, in the past two years, has seen significant investment from the Department for Education (DfE).

The college partnered with local employers and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in a yearly curriculum planning cycle to enhance its provision of T Levels, catering to local demands for specific skills.

T Levels are technical qualifications that amalgamate classroom learning with an industry placement.

Designed as an alternative path after GCSEs, these qualifications are meant for young aspirants aiming for high apprenticeships, university, or skilled employment.

Owing to the investment from the T Level Capital Fund, Northumberland College now boasts industry-standard workshop facilities, featuring automation and robotic labs, a 360-degree immersive hub, and cutting-edge farming and livestock handling facilities.

Pre-September, the college was already delivering T Levels in Education and Childcare, Agriculture, Land Management, and Production.

Now, a T Level in Digital Production, Design, and Development joins the mix.

Delivered at Northumberland College’s Ashington Campus, this digital qualification will delve into programming, coding, data usage, and different digital industry platforms.

Cybersecurity will also be a key focus.

Northumberland College Vice Principal for Quality and Curriculum Lee Lister said: “Our new Digital T Level will give students an amazing platform to work with an employer – such as a software or IT company – while studying and gaining the skills employers are looking for."

Next year the college plans to introduce a T Level in Business Administration at its Kirkley Hall campus.

"This is an area of skills development that Northumberland needs and we see the qualification adding to a collective drive to improve rural business success and economic growth across the county,” said Mr Lister.

“We believe a business administration qualification will also increase the number of rural entrepreneurs and to this aim we’ve invested heavily in areas such as our dog grooming facility, zoo and technical farm and sheep facilities."

Breaking its record, this academic year, the college enrolled over 1,000 16-18 year old students.

The college is part of Education Partnership North East (EPNE), which also incorporates Sunderland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College.