East Kent Colleges Group celebrates T Levels Week 

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is proud to be celebrating the success of T Levels this T Levels Week.  

T Levels are a two-year qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds. Designed with employers, each T Level is equivalent to three A levels and helps young people develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace. 

At the heart of each course is a 45-day industry placement designed to give students real industry knowledge and experience.  

EKC Group, which operates six further education colleges in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Sheppey, is proud to recognise and celebrate the wide variety of success that its students have gained from their T Levels.  

Dixie studied a T Level in Early Years and Education at EKC Canterbury College, where her love of working with children and the hands-on experience she gained helped her take the next step towards her future. 

Having achieved a Merit, she’s now off to the prestigious Norland University of Early Childhood to continue her journey and join the ranks of the world-famous Norland Nannies. 

Discussing her time on her course, Dixie said: “I loved placement, I love working and interacting with children, and this is where I want to be. 

“The course was really hands-on and that’s how I learn best.” 

Jensen Perry studied the T Level in Architecture, Surveying, Estimating and Project Management at EKC Canterbury College and achieved a Distinction. Following this remarkable achievement, Jensen earned a sponsored university placement and secured a position with the company where he completed his work placement.  

He said: “I struggled quite a bit in GCSEs, so I came to college and got them before doing a construction course. I was then approached by a tutor to do a T Level course. It was all about project management, and I excelled at it and really enjoyed it.   

“The course led me to do work experience with Jenner Group, which is a construction company, and from that point, they offered me a Site Trainee position. They’ve been fantastic and have really helped me along the way.”   

Thanks to the fantastic impression Jensen made on his work placement, Jenner has sponsored his university degree. This means Jensen can study at Oxford Brookes University and work for Jenner during the holidays.

Richard Archer is the Commercial Director of Cactus Graphics, and has previously taken on a number of T Level students for work experience.  

He said: “Work experience and T Levels are great for your company as your current staff get to develop other people, which may be a skill they haven’t had before. 

“It develops your team, and you get 315 hours with that student, you get free support, and the students are very willing and prepared to learn and have that experience. 

“They just need that experience from us as employers to help them.” 

Assistant CEO of Education at EKC Group Nick Holbrook-Sutcliffe said: “T Levels represent a bold step forward in education and are a revolution in how we prepare young people for the future. 

“By combining rigorous classroom learning with meaningful industry placements, T Levels give students the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to thrive in their chosen careers. 

“These qualifications aren’t just about passing exams, they’re about unlocking potential, raising aspirations, and empowering a new generation to shape the future of our industries and our communities.” 

Throughout T Levels Week, follow EKC Group’s social media channels, as well as its local college social media pages, to see the incredible impact T Levels have on the communities we proudly serve.