Name: Darcy Nicholls  T Level: Design, Surveying and Planning  Location: Durham 

Darcy, who comes from Durham, is expecting her T Level results on August 15 - but she already knows what she is doing next. She has secured a prestigious degree apprenticeship with major construction and development firm Bowmer and Kirkland, starting in September, having completed her 45-day work placement with TGA Consulting.

She is very positive about her experience with what are still relatively new qualifications. Looking back at why she chose to do T Levels, Darcy said: “I knew I didn’t want to do A levels as the choice was quite limited and I had been told by several people I would make a good project manager. I liked the look of T Levels, especially getting to do work experience, so I wasn’t just stuck in a classroom and writing endless essays.”

Darcy reflected that the classroom-based element of the course was rigorous – there was a lot to learn on a wide range of design, surveying and planning topics. She particularly enjoyed the work placement and said: “I enjoyed getting out of the classroom and going on trips to sites so I can see what we’ve been learning in real life. It’s taught me a lot about the industry and the type of environment I want to work in.”

Having completed the course, Darcy would recommend T Levels “100%”. “It really isn’t an easy option, the syllabus is challenging and there is a huge amount to learn,” she said. “But the combination of college work and genuinely learning on the job means it’s far more interesting as than just sitting in the classroom all the time doing A Levels.” said Darcy. “It also helps you get industry experience which then helps you to make decisions as to what you want to do, as well as what you don’t.”