Q&A valuable alternative to traditional class-based training, with a focus on practical skills alongside the knowledge necessary to have a successful career. The industry placement will allow learners to develop behaviours and use their skills in real situations. What did you do on the Building Services Engineering T Level panel? Students at Bridgwater & Taunton College Richard Bullock Building an education Schools and colleges will offer T Levels from 2020 and Bridgwater & Taunton Colleges Richard Bullock helped create the building services engineering course A s curriculum manager for construction trades at Bridgwater & Taunton College, Richard Bullock leads a large team that delivers building-industry training. He worked in construction for more than a decade, completing a bricklayer apprenticeship before progressing into site supervision. He then did a Level 5 teaching diploma to pursue a career in education. Last year, the Department for Education appointed 38 industry professionals to determine course content for the new construction T Levels, and Bullock was on the building services engineering (BSE) panel. From 2020, three constructionrelated T Level courses design, surveying and planning; onsite construction; and building services engineering will be offered as an alternative to A Levels. How will the building services engineering T Level prepare young people for a job in the sector? It will develop not only the technical understanding and skill set of the learner, but also the industry experience that is crucial when embarking on a career within the BSE sector and the wider construction industry. The knowledge, skills and behaviours promoted throughout the programme will ensure the learner has an understanding that spans the BSE spectrum and this will allow links to be made with real-life situations through industry placements. A key focus will be employability skills. Completion of the T Level will prepare the learner to know what opportunities are available within the BSE area and give them attributes that lead to successful career progression. Where will T Levels be available? They will be available nationally at a host of educational institutions and training providers around the country. Bridgwater & Taunton College will continue to lead in the field of technical education and will deliver T Levels across the board. Why choose a T Level over a maths and/or science A Level? The T Levels will allow learners with a specific interest or talent in the technical and vocational areas of learning to achieve their potential. They will provide a The panel comprised members with a variety of backgrounds and experiences within the BSE and education sectors. Regular meetings took place around the country and members of the panel brought their respective areas of expertise to the table. This led to some very productive debates around all aspects of industry and education. The group worked closely with apprenticeship standards to maximise the mapping potential and to ensure the suitability of the final product. We saw the opportunity to have a positive influence on the future of technical education, and everyone involved is driven to deliver a programme that will have a hugely positive and constructive impact on the BSE sector and the future of young people. Is there merit in targeting future engineers at an earlier stage in life? Capturing interest and enthusiasm early on and creating the chance to harness curiosity within the delivery of the technical routes will be crucial for the development of future world-class engineers. The modular approach allows flexibility within the programme, and the specialisms that will be available to young people will ensure wellrounded and confident learners graduate with the tools to continue their learning whether that be through apprenticeships, employment, or further research and study. Will a T Level help to make building services engineering more visible? It will certainly change the landscape of traditional progression into building services engineering. The opportunity for a young person to explore their interest at an early stage is paramount for the development of outstanding engineers, and the fact that these areas will now be available to learners at such an early stage is extremely exciting. RICHARD BULLOCK is curriculum manager for construction trades at Bridgwater & Taunton College www.cibsejournal.com January 2019 57 CIBSE Jan19 pp57 Q&A.indd 57 21/12/2018 15:16