Teenagers have the chance to become business savvy and clinch a career in marketing through the first course of its kind launching in Yorkshire.

A new, nationally-recognised type of qualification for 16 to 18-year-olds, called a Tech-level, is being offered at The Sheffield College, South Yorkshire, in September.

The AQA Tech-level Business: Marketing is an alternative to A Levels. It equips young people for a marketing position in business, an apprenticeship or for going onto higher education including a university degree.

Tech-levels are being introduced nationally from September to help fill skills gaps that have been identified by businesses. They focus on developing students’ technical skills. This is the first marketing Tech-level available in Yorkshire.

Heather Smith, Principal of The Sheffield College, said: “Tech-levels are new qualifications that have been designed and developed with help from employers and professional bodies to ensure students gain up-to-date knowledge as well as team working, problem solving, research and communication skills.”

The Tech-level in Business: Marketing has been created by AQA, the largest provider of academic qualifications taught in schools and colleges. It has been developed in collaboration with The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and has been supported by employers such as AlphaPeople and Rhead Group.

Subjects covered on the course include the principles of marketing, how to communicate with customers, developing stakeholder relationships, understanding the role of social networking in influencing consumer behaviour, the value of effective research and how to be responsible in business.

Philip Knowles, Chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of CIM, said: “This course is generating a lot of excitement among our local businesses. Marketing is often misunderstood. It's not just about promoting products or services but re-engineering your whole business to win and retain customers. This course is a key tool for the next generation to help local businesses grow profitably."

It's not too late to apply for the Tech-level in Business: Marketing or other full-time courses starting at The Sheffield College this September. Visit http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk or call 0114 2602600 to find out more.