T Levels are the new qualifications that have been developed in collaboration with employers for students aged 16 to 19, designed to give students a head start into their careers
T Levels
for Employers
What is a T Level?
T Levels are the new qualifications developed in collaboration with employers for students aged 16 to 19, designed to give students a head start into their careers. T Levels are delivered in a classroom based environment with 20% of the time spent on an industry placement working in employer settings.
At the heart of every T Levels course, is a mandatory industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days). Industry placements give employers a unique opportunity to help develop new talent in your industry, and get young people work-ready.
T Levels placements offer a pipeline of fresh talent for entry-level jobs, from an untapped skills pool.
What is an industry placement?
Taking place in a real working environment, industry placements give students the opportunity to put the knowledge they’ve learned from the classroom into action. These placements, in a role directly relevant to their course, provide in-depth, realistic, hands-on experience which prepares students for the real world of work.
Any employer based in England can offer an industry placement to a T Level student. Industry placements must take place in a work environment.
How will it benefit my business?
Hosting a T Level on an Industry Placement can provide many benefits for you and your organisation:
- New Ideas: You will benefit from having a young person with a fresh outlook and ideas in the business
- Mentoring: It will provide employees with a wealth of opportunities to develop their coaching, management and mentoring skills.
- Recruitment: You will build a talent pipeline of young people, ideal for junior positions, apprenticeships and internships. This could create a chance to see potential future recruits using their skills and abilities.
- Relationship building: You will build a positive relationship with Barnfield/West Herts College as well as other employers to share placement experience and good practice.
- Diversifying your company: Industry placements will provide young people from a range of backgrounds with fresh opportunities in your organisation and industry.
FAQ'S
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Who can offer industry placements?
Any employer based in England can offer an industry placement to a T Level student. Industry placements must take place in a work environment.
If you find out if you are eligible contact the Employer Liaison Team by completing our short Employer Enquiry Form here.
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What support will be available?
West Herts College will provide support to both the student and employer through the entirety of the placement. To ensure we meet your staff requirements we will work with you to find the best candidate for your organisation.
Financial support
T-Level industry placements are a free government scheme - you don't need to pay to take on a T-Level student for a placement. If you require financial support to offer Industry Placements, you can find more information on this on the Department of Education website – click here for more information.
{qaccordion|How are industry placements different to work experience?}
Work experience typically involves a student shadowing you for 1-2 weeks, having not necessarily studied a course relevant to your industry. They are mostly there to observe and experience a first taster of the world of work.
However, industry placements will be for a minimum of 315 hours (45-50 days on average), with students studying a related course meaning they will have relevant skills and knowledge that enable them, after a period of induction, to add value to your business and apply their learning to real work.
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Do I need to pay the student on placement?
Industry placements are about providing students with high-quality, meaningful training, and work experience. Therefore, students are not entitled to a salary as the placement is forming part of a course of further education. There is no legal requirement or expectation that T Level students will be paid.
However, you can pay the student should you wish to, or support the student with their travel and subsistence costs. In the past, some employers have paid or offered free meals, travel costs or both to placement students.
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What T Level courses do you offer?
We currently offer a range of T Level including:
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction: Civil Engineering
- Education and Early Years: Early Years Educator
Don't see your industry but would like to get involved? We are currently working on adding more T Levels to the college's offerings. Complete our short Employer Enquiry Form here and member of our Employer Liasion team will be in contact to discuss your requirements.