72 T-LEVELS
Why offering T-Level placements works for business
Why offering T-Level placements works for business
“Can you provide any work experience?” It’s one of those questions that hard-pressed employers often dread being asked. Don’t get me wrong, most employers want to help and understand, in principle, the benefits of giving young people the chance to experience life beyond the classroom but far too often the benefits are seen as one-sided. Employers see their employees’ valuable time being eaten up supporting work placement students when they really have other business priorities.
“Can you provide any work experience?” It’s one of those questions that hard-pressed employers often dread being asked. Don’t get me wrong, most employers want to help and understand, in principle, the benefits of giving young people the chance to experience life beyond the classroom but far too often the benefits are seen as one-sided. Employers see their employees’ valuable time being eaten up supporting work placement students when they really have other business priorities.
But what if supporting a student on work placement could bring real benefits to a business? And what if that placement could eventually lead to a business being able to plug skills gaps in their organisation by recruiting tried and tested individuals.
But what if supporting a student on work placement could bring real benefits to a business? And what if that placement could eventually lead to a business being able to plug skills gaps in their organisation by recruiting tried and tested individuals.
What’s certain from talking to our T-level placement employers is that industry placements have come a long way since the days when work experience at a local company involved a couple of weeks making brews, shadowing an existing employee and tackling nothing more taxing than a bit of photocopying.
What’s certain from talking to our T-level placement employers is that industry placements have come a long way since the days when work experience at a local company involved a couple of weeks making brews, shadowing an existing employee and tackling nothing more taxing than a bit of photocopying.
“ We’ve had such a good experience and the students have been an asset to the school. ”
“ We’ve had such a good experience and the students have been an asset to the school. ”
So what are T-levels? T-levels are an innovative alternative to A levels that combine all the academic rigour of A level study with an extended industry placement that allows students to get under the skin of a company and make a real difference. They are widely accepted by universities and are also seen by many as the preferred route into Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
So what are T-levels? T-levels are an innovative alternative to A levels that combine all the academic rigour of A level study with an extended industry placement that allows students to get under the skin of a company and make a real difference. They are widely accepted by universities and are also seen by many as the preferred route into Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
Taking two years to complete and focusing on a single subject area, T-levels allow students to develop an in- depth understanding of their specialism but really come into their own when it comes to the industry placement. With a minimum of 45 days spent in onsite training, students are able to undertake projects that provide real benefit to employers. And it’s not just us saying this it’s our placement employers too.
Taking two years to complete and focusing on a single subject area, T-levels allow students to develop an in- depth understanding of their specialism but really come into their own when it comes to the industry placement. With a minimum of 45 days spent in onsite training, students are able to undertake projects that provide real benefit to employers. And it’s not just us saying this it’s our placement employers too.
Take Nicky Speakman from Code Galaxy, for example. Nicky took on one of our computing T-level students and has never looked back. In fact, Nicky was so impressed that he went on to offer the student a degree apprenticeship and now this student’s a permanent member of his team. Nicky recognises that it’s not just about having the opportunity to inspire the next generation of experts in his industry sector either, it’s good for business too.
Take Nicky Speakman from Code Galaxy, for example. Nicky took on one of our computing T-level students and has never looked back. In fact, Nicky was so impressed that he went on to offer the student a degree apprenticeship and now this student’s a permanent member of his team. Nicky recognises that it’s not just about having the opportunity to inspire the next generation of experts in his industry sector either, it’s good for business too.
“Having an extra pair of hands to develop value added products that my existing team might struggle to find the time to deliver is just one of the benefits. It’s also an excellent opportunity to look for potential recruits and to see how someone fits into our closely knit team before we commit to employing them.”
“Having an extra pair of hands to develop value added products that my existing team might struggle to find the time to deliver is just one of the benefits. It’s also an excellent opportunity to look for potential recruits and to see how someone fits into our closely knit team before we commit to employing them.”
“ It’s an excellent opportunity to look for potential recruits.”
“ It’s an excellent opportunity to look for potential recruits.”
Nicky isn’t the only one who sees these benefits.
Nicky isn’t the only one who sees these benefits.
Every employer we have spoken to about T-level placements is incredibly positive about their experience. Ged Mills from Content Creators Blackpool comments:
Every employer we have spoken to about T-level placements is incredibly positive about their experience. Ged Mills from Content Creators Blackpool comments:
“The T-level students we’ve had on placement have been essential to the team. We’ve actually delivered record results this year and that’s been in no small part due to having those students with us.” Managers and teaching staff from Flakefleet Primary School have similarly enjoyed having their placement students onsite, describing the experience as a ‘no-brainer’ and saying they would recommend it to anyone.
“The T-level students we’ve had on placement have been essential to the team. We’ve actually delivered record results this year and that’s been in no small part due to having those students with us.” Managers and teaching staff from Flakefleet Primary School have similarly enjoyed having their placement students onsite, describing the experience as a ‘no-brainer’ and saying they would recommend it to anyone.
“ We’re looking at this as a longer term strategy which will hopefully attract more people to social care, a sector currently struggling with recruitment.”
“ We’re looking at this as a longer term strategy which will hopefully attract more people to social care, a sector currently struggling with recruitment.”
So what advice would our existing T-level placement employers give to someone considering it for the first time?
So what advice would our existing T-level placement employers give to someone considering it for the first time?
“I would hesitate to offer another student a placement”, says Nicky.
“I would hesitate to offer another student a placement”, says Nicky.
“I would, however, say that it’s important to find the right student which is why we had a rigorous interview process to ensure the arrangement would be beneficial to everyone. I also think you need a clear idea of what you expect from the placement and a plan of what you want the student to achieve during their time with you. Make sure these things are in place and I have everyone confidence you will find the experience just as rewarding as we have.”
“I would, however, say that it’s important to find the right student which is why we had a rigorous interview process to ensure the arrangement would be beneficial to everyone. I also think you need a clear idea of what you expect from the placement and a plan of what you want the student to achieve during their time with you. Make sure these things are in place and I have everyone confidence you will find the experience just as rewarding as we have.”
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