About the course
T Levels mark a revolution in technical education.
Learn the essentials of IT support roles by understanding digital systems, how software and business interact, security, testing, planning and legal issues. You will then have the chance to specialise in year two of the course:
- Digital support and Services
- More information (gov.uk)
Digital T levels are a high-quality, work-focussed alternative to A levels for young people once they've completed their GCSEs.
They will be available for delivery from September 2021. They will become one main routes through which a young persons will enter the digital sector.
These Level 3 technical qualifications will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher level technical training or study in the digital sector. The core knowledge and understanding will be assessed through an examination and core skills through a practical employer-set project. In addition to this, maths, English and general digital skills will be integrated within the qualification in occupationally relevant contexts.
This occupation is found in all organisations, large and small, in all industry sectors, and within public, private and voluntary organisations. Organisations of all types are increasing applying digital technologies across all their business functions to maximise productivity. The demand for people who can support and implement these digital operations and digital transformation projects is increasing. Similarly, organisations of all types are increasingly supporting their service users though online and digital channels, as they develop omni-channel approaches to meeting customer needs, deflect traditional telephone and face-to-face contacts and to reduce costs.
The broad purpose of a Digital Support Technician is to maximise the effective use of digital technologies, productivity software, digital communications, including collaborative technologies, and digital information systems to achieve objectives.
Entry requirements
Grade 4 in English and maths as a minimum.
Qualifications
T Level in Digital Support and Services
What you'll learn (core modules)
- Business context
- Culture
- Data
- Digital analysis
- Digital environments
- Diversity and inclusion
- Learning
- Legislation
- Planning
- Security
- Testing
- Tools
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ON THIS COURSE
- how digital technologies impact business and market environment
- the ethical and moral implications of digital technology
- using digital technologies to analyse and solve problems
- digital environments, including physical, virtual and cloud environments
- legal and regulatory obligations relating to digital technologies
- the technical, physical and human aspects of internet security
- planning digital projects
- testing software, hardware and data
- digital tools for project management and collaboration
You will also learn about topics specific to digital support services, including:
- roles within the digital support services sector
- communication in digital support services
- fault analysis and problem resolution
Benefits, skills and character strengths
- Put skills and knowledge into practice
- Try out a career
- Grow your confidence
- Learn transferable skills such as team-working and communication
- Improve employability
During your time at West Suffolk College, we will be supporting you to develop in key areas:
- Resilience
- Ownership
- Optimism
- Ambition
- Respect
- Self-control
- Confidence
- Curiosity
How will I be assessed?
T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and 'on-the-job' experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).
Grading:
The overall grade is subject to completion/achievement of all T Level requirements – not just the components of the technical qualification (TQ).
T Level grades are worked out from students' grades for the technical qualification core and occupational specialisms. For example: to be awarded a Distinction*, you must achieve an A* in the core and a Distinction in the occupational specialism(s).
As well as passing the relevant technical qualification, the following elements are required to achieve an overall T Level grade:
- Industry placement: This will be arranged and verified by the provider offering the T Level.
Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)
The course is designed by employers for the next generation of Technical Support Services careers. This means the qualification will be a mix of learning in the Computing technical lab rooms and on Industry placement.
80% Classroom 20% Workplace
You will be studying at the West Suffolk College main campus site and your chosen industry placement.
Where will the course take me?
University The T-level course will be the same as 3 A Levels with UCAS points awarded.
Examples of job roles: Digital support technician, digital applications technician, digital service technician, Cyber security, infrastructure technician, IT solutions technician, hardware solutions, software solutions and many more job roles in the IT support industry.
Will I need any materials or equipment?
College study days:
The new T-Level qualifications will be using a range of learning styles and resources. The college will provide you with access onto the site campus, Office 365,cloud storage, Computer hardware, Software and other applications when studying in the technical lab classrooms.
Home study days:
As part of this full time course you will be required to complete Teams sessions and further research\study time. To complete this you will need a computer system, Internet access, speakers and a webcam.
Industry placement:
Phone to take workplace evidence, note pad and pen.
How much will it cost?
Fully funded course for 16-19 year olds.
I'm interested. What should I do now?
Guarantee your IT future today
Please click 'Apply Online' to apply for this course.
Days & times
Starting September 2023