EKC Group celebrates T Levels Week

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is proud to be supporting T Levels Week and celebrating the success of its T Level students, past and present.   
 

T Levels are two-year courses developed in collaboration with employers to ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in their chosen career path.    
 

They offer a mixture of classroom learning and work experience, with at least 45 days spent on an industry placement with an employer.   
 

With a T Level, students can progress straight on to skilled work, higher study or apprenticeships, and this week, EKC Group is proud to celebrate its students who have done just that.   
 

Jensen Perry studied the T Level Design 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 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.  
 

Another outstanding EKC Group T Level student who has gone on to secure an apprenticeship is Leon Hornsey, who studied T Level Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control at EKC Dover College. 

   
Reflecting on his time at college, Leon said: “I didn’t know anything about engineering before I came to college, but I’ve got to work on lots of different machines and gain the experience I need for my apprenticeship.   
 

“I originally got into engineering because my dad is an Engineer, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”  
 

Leon is now an Engineering Apprentice with UTS.  
 

Meanwhile, Evie Hawkes completed a T Level in Education and Early Years at EKC Folkestone College before going on to study Primary Education at Canterbury Christ Church University.   
 

Evie said: “My T Level was a stepping stone for going to university to study Primary Education.  
 

“We did work placement during the course, which has really helped prepare me for working with children. My work placement gave me a good view of education, and the staff there were so helpful and inspiring.”  

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.”  

Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith added: “T Levels are at the forefront of this government’s technical education offer. They are excellent qualifications based on employer-led standards, and they break down barriers to opportunity, giving young people hands-on experience through industry placements.   
 

“T Levels are also helping to build talented workforces – around a third of T Level students who progress into employment get jobs with their T Level Industry Placement employer.   
 

“I’m delighted to champion T Levels Week as we ensure these qualifications continue to thrive through our Plan for Change. T Levels are growing year on year, with £28 million of additional investment this year for specialist equipment. I would encourage young people to consider taking a T Level – including the brand-new Marketing T Level – as a fantastic route into a rewarding career.”