T level students completing studies with the council

T level students are learning how IT is used in the workplace through a Reading Borough Council partnership with Activate Learning at Reading College.

The Council is supporting four Digital, Production Design and Development students for one day a week for the academic year as a mandatory aspect of their course.

The students are supporting their academic learning through real-life experience by learning from council officers. They are also helping to find solutions bringing a fresh perspective to how the council delivers digital services to residents. They are also understanding how the role of IT fits in local government and how it benefits residents.

The team is committed to supporting young talent and giving back to the community by providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.

The new partnership will give the T level students industry experience, a requirement for successfully passing the new qualification, which is equivalent to three A levels. The council also benefits from promoting local government as a career option.

Councillor Ellie Emberson, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said: “This new initiative is a fantastic opportunity for the students to gain hands-on experience working on real-life issues and to bring what they learn in the classroom alive.

“This will develop their skills and bring a young perspective to digital services in Reading.

“This also makes the council, or any local government organisation, more attractive and a viable career for students who are about to qualify.

“The Digital and IT Service will continue to grow and be at the forefront of council services and become more important in years to come. We will need talented young people in the future.

“The Council has a longstanding record of supporting young people in education, training and work in Reading, and this is another example of how we value and underpin vital skills for the future.”

T levels are technical-based qualifications which are an alternative of A level, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. They are the equivalent to three A levels and focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.

Amanda Watterson, industry work co-originator at Activate Learning at Reading College, said: “T level students need 45 days experience related to their course to pass.

“We are so pleased Reading Borough Council, and its Digital and IT, team has agreed to offer placements to our students and that they are experiencing real projects and offering their own opinions.

“We are looking to place students in all industries so get in touch.”