Dozens of employers are discovering new ways of developing their talent pipeline by offering Northampton College students an industry placement as part of their T Level qualification.
A T Level breakfast meeting saw employers learn more about how they can get involved in eight different courses by taking on students for industry placements lasting for 315 hours across 45
days during the academic year.
Students will typically be with their placement provider for one day a week, but this can be flexible to meet the needs of the business.
T Levels follow on from GCSEs, are the equivalent of three A Levels, provide students with UCAS points for university entry and include classroom-based learning and vocational learning as well as an industry placement of approximately 45 days to provide students with the skills and knowledge that employers need.
Northampton College Principal Jason Lancaster said: “T Levels are an attractive option for students and employers because they feature a blend of classroom-based and vocational learning and an extended industry placement.
“These qualifications have won support from major businesses because they have been designed in collaboration with employers and the industry placements give them the opportunity to get their hands on the brightest new talent before they are snapped up by their competitors or other sectors.
“T Levels help students to build their confidence, enhance their CVs and give them the chance to try out their chosen career. The employability skills they learn give them a competitive edge when it comes to them applying for jobs, further study including university or an apprenticeship.”
The T Levels breakfast event, held at Booth Lane in October, saw representatives from employers such as Kier, CITB, Anglian Water, Weatherby’s and Briggs & Forrester hear Northampton College staff outline how the qualifications work and how businesses can get involved.
Kayleigh Merritt, Winvic’s Talent Development Manager, highlighted the importance of embracing T Level industry placements as part of the company’s ambitions to identify emerging talent and shape its future workforce.
She said: “The programme gives students exposure to all aspects of the business, from quantity surveying to civil engineering, so they have the opportunity to learn more about how we work, what is of interest to them and also what’s not of interest – and that can be a key stage in deciding where their future lies.
“Nationally, we now have around 20 T Level students working with us and it is proving a really effective way of filling skills gaps and planning for future recruitment.”
Two T Level students currently enjoying a work placement with Winvic also gave their insight into the tasks they were typically experiencing while working onsite with the multidisciplinary main contractor.
Lola Carder said: “I’m finding the T Level placement absolutely fascinating, and it’s really helped to cement the skills I’ve been learning as part of the course. I’m part of the design, planning and surveying team. We’re getting out on site and actually doing the job, not just watching others do it. I’m keen to stay on at Winvic and pursue a degree apprenticeship in the future.”
Northampton College currently offers T Levels in a range of subject areas, including Accounting, Digital, Education and Early Years, Engineering, Health and Business Administration.
To find out more about T Levels and industry placements, contact the Work Experience team on 01604 734323, email workexperience@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or visit the Northampton College Website.
