Celebrating the first students to complete Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels

Today the first students to complete Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels receive their results.  

Jack Matthews, finalist for the T Level Student of the Year Award at the Enginuity Skills Awards shares his experience of studying Design and Development in Engineering and Manufacturing at East Norfolk Sixth Form College.  

Why T Levels? 

I chose to do a T Level because I am really interested in learning and gaining work-related skills at the same time. My GCSE grades were very good so although I knew that a T Level was a more intense experience I was looking forward to it. I am glad to say that the course has met my expectations. T Levels offer much more experience of work than any other route at college and this particularly interests me. I was thinking that I might want to go into the renewable energy sector and the T Level solidified this for me. T Levels exceeded my expectations. 

Tell us about your T Level journey 

I have been able to study AS Maths alongside my T Level in Design and Development in Engineering and Manufacturing. As part of my course, I attended the University of Exeter summer school and gained a place to study Renewable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience there. During my course, I have had two placements in engineering.  

My first placement was at James Fisher, where I worked on hydraulic rigs and remotely operated vehicles, performing maintenance in seas worldwide.  

My second placement was at STR, where I learned about winches, underwater surveying equipment, and the importance of cabling and cable maintenance.  

I was one of two students on my course to be selected to represent the college at the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) reception at the House of Commons, hosted by MP Peter Aldous. 

Neither of my parents went to university, so everything that I am learning about during my T Level and what I need to do next is coming from my teachers at college. Working part-time while studying a T Level with AS Maths is tough, but I know it will be worth it and will help me in the future. 

What have you learned?  

At my work placement, I have become very aware of the many different scenarios that businesses face when they are working on offshore energy. I have gained an appreciation that you cannot plan for every scenario but with more understanding, you are able to solve most problems quickly and efficiently. I have learned more about working with others through communicating and teamwork and I was able to do some programming which was built on my skills from GCSE. 

I also was able to do some soldering in the electronics workshop, which was the first time for me, it was much harder than I thought it would be as the materials moved more than I thought, with the impact of my hands shaking. 

My line manager at STR has described me as being professional and eager to learn. I think I have shown that young people can bring a lot to the workplace even though I am only 18. 

I have used all these skills at work. I love learning about engineering and applying concepts at work. I am proud to be developing my career in engineering through my T Level. 

What’s next? 

I am definitely going to go to the University of Exeter to study Renewable Energy Engineering with an industrial year. I am already planning to do a master's after my course because I know I have so much more to learn. I would like to give something back to my area in the future by either doing my year in Great Yarmouth or by returning after graduation. I would like to bring back skills to Great Yarmouth and inspire others in the future.