Networks & TRIPs

Networks and TRIPs enable those involved in delivering T Levels, and those considering delivery in the future, to interact and exchange ideas and resources.

Networks

Networks are suitable for practitioners involved in the direct delivery of T Levels, including teachers and trainers, as well as support staff managers.

Networks will help you to:

  • collaborate with others, developing, exchanging and exploring new ideas and ways of working
  • network with providers across your region
  • develop creative partnerships and identify future CPD based on FE sector colleagues personal and professional development needs
  • share information, resources and toolkits to support T Level delivery
  • gain expert input from regional stakeholders
  • reflect on and review professional development needs
  • engage with employers and gain a better understanding of industry requirements.

Course delivery: the events will take place once or twice per term, depending on demand. Networks are designed to happen face-to-face*, virtually and online.

*Please note where events cannot run face-to-face due to local or national Covid-19 government guidance, they will be delivered as live online events. We will make best use of available technology to enable participants to continue to speak, collaborate and engage with high-quality personal and professional development.

We are currently hosting a series of Networks on:

  • Curriculum Design and Delivery 
  • Industry Placements
  • Marketing
  • Schools

Please create your profile on our T Level Professional Development Platform to access the available Networks.

Online Network Community Spaces

These spaces allow practitioners to connect digitally with other T Level provider staff, to communicate, share ideas, resources and insights. The spaces are hosted on Teams. Find out more on the T Level Professional Development Platform.

The network spaces have been created to allow participants to collaborate in a subject area space about T Levels. Participants in their professional pursuits, to support in maintaining connections formed with colleagues, to build strong and mutually beneficial ties between all participants, to promote goodwill in the community and to stimulate interest and enhance involvement with T Level professional development through increased opportunities for engagement and collaboration.

Q: How do I use the online community network space?

A: The community spaces are designed for flexible use, i.e., you can access and engage as and when you want to. The spaces are designed to act as collaborative spaces, and for users to post questions and share learnings.

Q: How do I access the Online Spaces?

A: You will receive a notification from Microsoft Teams welcoming you to the space, please do keep this for your reference and future access to the space.  If you are regular user of Teams, it may be part of your Teams spaces.

Q: What can I do on the online community spaces?

A: You can post questions, share resources, or collaborate with like minded sector professionals in each community. Each space is moderated by ETF Area Relationship and Development Leads who will also contribute and share information on events and resources that might benefit you as a staff member involved with T Levels.

Q: What should I do first now I have joined a community space?

A: Its always good to say hello so please post an introduction to the post stream. If you want to you could as an alternative add a quick Flipgrid video introducing yourself by accessing the Flipgrid option in the channel tool bar.

Q: Do I need to keep visiting the online community?

A: The space is available all the time, so you can access the community space whenever suits you. Content and information will be added on a regular basis so a quick check in once a week, once a day or to ask a question will be suitable dependent on your needs.

Q: Can I use the space to network?

A: The community spaces are specifically designed for collaboration to occur. Please network as you see fit with other members of the community.

Q: I have never used Microsoft Teams before where can I go to learn how?

A: When you have accessed the community space via Teams you can click the help icon in the lower left corner of the screen and select training. You will now be able to access a full range of resources to support your continued use of MS Teams.

T Level Resource Improvement Projects (TRIPs)

TRIPs are provider-led, action research projects. Through TRIPs, providers identify a problem which would benefit from further investigation and develop proposals for collaborative project delivery. The size and scale of projects will vary dependant on scope. Each TRIP has a named adviser allocated to support them in the delivery of their project.

TRIPs are suitable for practitioners, managers and specialist provider staff.

TRIPs will help you to:

  • identify shared challenges and priority areas of work to support T Level delivery
  • develop teaching practice for T Levels
  • contribute to the professional development of staff involved in delivering and supporting T Levels
  • ensure that T Level students develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and occupational competencies required.

Examples of project themes may include:

  • timetabling for remote teaching
  • programme sequencing to suit local employer requirements
  • developing resources for occupation specialisms or post-Covid-19 T Level teaching.

Funding is available to enable a TRIP to be undertaken, subject to meeting application criteria. These include:

Please create your profile on our T Level Professional Development Platform to access the application forms. To read the guidance documents for small and large TRIPs, please click the downloads below.

We also have a useful guidance webinar which will help to answer any questions you might have, and provide further information about the application process.

Large TRIPs – Guidance document

Small TRIPs – Guidance document

8 top tips for applying for a TRIP