T-Levels are rigorous, classroom-based, technical study programmes, designed to support entry to skilled employment in technical occupations at Level 3 and above. A substantial, high quality industry placement (formerly ‘work placements’) with an external employer will be an essential part of each T-Level.
What are industry placements?
In the Employer Skills Survey 2022 employers were asked which factors they deemed important when looking for new recruits. The most common answer was relevant work experience (62%), followed by Maths & English GCSE A* - C (47%) and vocational qualifications (43%).
The Department for Education (DfE) now guarantees that all 16-to-19 year-old students following a new technical education route will be entitled to a quality industry placement, to equip them with the relevant technical skills they need to give them the best possible opportunity to enter skilled employment.
These industry placements will give students a valuable opportunity to put their learning into practice, develop their technical skills and become more employable. Students will spend a minimum of 315 hours (approx. 45 days) with an external employer in a role directly relevant to their course. This is a mandatory part of the course, and without it students will not achieve their full qualification.
Why should my business get involved?
Immediate benefits:
- Extra resources for your projects and day-to-day operations from students developing skills in a course relevant to your business and industry
- Give your employees the opportunity to develop management and mentorship skills
- Bring a fresh perspective into your business
- CSR impact: share with stakeholders how your business has supported local young people into industry placements, improving their employability and progression opportunities.
Long term benefits
- Inspire the next generation to work in your industry
- Address current and future skills shortages in your industry
- Strengthen your recruiting pipeline and increase diversity
- Shared value: benefits for business and society are correlated – increased social inclusion leads to new business opportunities.
What is involved?
Hosting a T-Level student is flexible and fully supported:
- We'll support you with guidance, paperwork, and help throughout the process.
- Placements can be arranged as a block, day release, or a mix of both.
- You are NOT required to pay the students.
- There are no formal assessments whilst completing the required hours (with the exception of any students studying T-Level Childcare).
- You'll provide a structured, supervised placement relevant to your industry.
Can't commit to a full placement?
No problem - there are other meaningful ways to support our students' development:
- Small Group Projects
Host a short-term project or brief that students can work on as a team, either on-site or remotely.
- Skills Hub Sessions
Deliver a workshop, talk, or skill-building sessions to help students develop key industry knowledge and workplace behaviours.
- Mentoring or Guest Speaking
Give insight into your role, career journey, or sector to help inspire and inform the next generation
These activities can contribute toward a student's total placement hours and make a real difference in their progression.
Want to know more?
Find out more about T-Levels and the business benefits of industry placements here
If you are an employer and would like to find out more about T Level Industry Placements, this pdf handbook (227 KB) will provide you with information about the different components which make up the programme and how you can get involved and offer an industry placement to a local student. Please get in touch with the work placement department by completing the short form below: