In a move to address skill shortages in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, Make UK has partnered with EngineeringUK, Enginuity and the Royal Academy of Engineering to champion the benefits of T Level student placements.
This collaborative effort aims to showcase how these placements can be a valuable recruitment tool for employers in the industry.
T Levels are post-16 technical qualifications designed in collaboration with employers to bridge industry skills gaps and ensure a skilled future workforce. A key component of these qualifications is a 45-day industry placement, which offers flexibility to suit business needs. These placements can be completed in various formats, including a single block, spread over two years, or in partnership with another employer.
Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, is urging manufacturing businesses to embrace T Levels. He says, “We’re encouraging our members, small and large, to join the many businesses already benefiting from T Levels. T Level industry placements are a great way of building a pipeline of new talent. Lots of employers we’ve spoken to end up recruiting their T Level student at the end of their course, either directly into their business or as an accelerated or higher-level apprentice.”
T Levels present an opportunity to develop future manufacturers and ensure businesses have the necessary talent to thrive, especially in light of long-standing skill shortages in the sector. Businesses that have already hosted T Level students report that these placements serve as an effective recruitment pathway. Many employers choose to recruit their T Level students upon completion of their course, often offering them accelerated or higher-level apprenticeships.
By participating in T Level placements, businesses can play a key role in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals while addressing their own recruitment needs.
Watch Make UK’s explainer video here: