Amazon – Growing a successful industry placement programme

Introduction

This case study shows how one of the UK’s biggest employers has created strong foundations for a successful industry placement programme, growing from six students to 100 in its first three years and with significant expansion planned for the next three years.

Who it’s for

It will be useful for:

• • Employers who already host industry placements
  • Employers who want to increase the numbers of placements they offer
  • People who are responsible for early careers, apprenticeships and recruitment
  • Staff supporting students as line managers and mentors

The resource is especially relevant to other large employers, in all sectors of the economy.

The organisation

Amazon is one of the top 10 private employers in the UK, with more than 75,000 employees. They work in a huge range of roles and business areas, whether in corporate headquarters, research and development centres, fashion studios or fulfilment centres. In the digital space alone, there are opportunities for software and systems engineers, solutions architects, data technicians, security specialists, programme managers and account managers.

In the past five years, Amazon has onboarded more than 3,000 apprentices in over 25 different apprenticeships to match a diverse range of skillsets and ambitions, from automation engineering to broadcast production, robotics to safety technician.

T Levels in Amazon

Amazon started its T Level journey in 2023 with six industry placement students. Four times as many students were recruited into Amazon placements the following year – 24 for 2024. Plans are well-advanced for 50 students to join industry placements in Amazon in 2025.

What’s in the resource

The resource consists of four videos, which look at different aspects of Amazon’s industry placement journey.

• • Amazon's commitment to industry placements 
  • Leading the industry placement programme at Amazon
  • What it’s like being on an Amazon industry placement
  • The Amazon industry placement mentor’s role

Amazon’s commitment to industry placements

“It’s that experience of being in a team, being part of something bigger – you can only get that from the workplace”

• • Introducing Nicola Drury, Head of Skills and Apprenticeships at Amazon (0:08)
  • Why Amazon is involved in T Levels  (0:41)
  • How Amazon helps to prepare students for working life (1:54)
  • Inclusivity at Amazon – opportunities for all (3:17)
  • Opportunities for students after completing their T Level (4:30)

Leading the industry placement programme at Amazon

“In their nine weeks in placement, the students are completely embedded in the culture, they understand our tools, so they’re completely contributing within Amazon”

• • Introducing Jo Simovic, Amazon’s T Level lead (0:12)
  • Why education and industry placements are essential to Amazon (1:02)
  • How Amazon benefits from industry placements (2:11)
  • How students benefit from their industry placement (3:18)
  • How Amazon’s industry placements help to prepare students for a career (5:23)
  • Transitioning students into apprenticeships (7:05)
  • From industry placements to careers at Amazon (7:58)

In the video Jo refers to AWS, which stands for Amazon Web Services. AWS provides a vast array of cloud computing services to individuals, business and governments around the world.

What it’s like being on an Amazon industry placement

“I would love to come back to Amazon for an apprenticeship because the opportunities that Amazon have here are amazing”

• • Introducing Chika and Daniella, T Level students on industry placements in Amazon (0:09)
  • What students gain from their placements (0:59)
  • How students see their careers (3:10)
  • What the students feel about their experience with Amazon (4:42)

The Amazon industry placement mentor’s role

“It’s like a full cycle – someone helped me and now I’m helping someone else”

• • Introducing Abi Aldred, software engineer and T Level student mentor at Amazon (0:08)
  • How an Amazon mentor supports the student (0:36)
  • What the mentor learns from the experience (1:44)
  • How the student benefits from having a mentor (2:09)