Celebrating Success: T Level Health Placements in the NHS

From June 2023 to March 2025, seven NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) participated in a Department for Education funded pilot to embed Industry Placement Coordinators (IPCOs) within NHS organisations. These dedicated roles were introduced to raise awareness of T Levels, strengthen partnerships between NHS employers and T Level providers, and increase the number and quality of T Level industry placements. IPCOs played a pivotal role in integrating T Levels into NHS workforce planning, helping to build local talent pipelines, support recruitment strategies, and offer students meaningful experience across a range of clinical and non-clinical settings.

This case study highlights the achievements of the Industry Placement Coordinator (IPCO) pilot and outlines the next phase of support, which will launch in October 2025.

The impact was significant. Students gained hands-on experience in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas including midwifery, radiography, podiatry, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and more. These placements not only supported students’ development but also helped NHS teams identify and nurture future talent.

“We’ve been heavily involved with local colleges in helping to set up the Health T Level. The students come into placement motivated and well prepared, it’s a real boost to our workforce pipeline.”

NHS ICS Employer from a pilot site

Students were consistently described as engaged, professional, and eager to learn, often exceeding expectations. A provider in Sussex shared:

“Since the IPCO pilot, communication improved, placements became more structured, and students felt truly valued.”

Innovations such as rotational placements gave students exposure to multiple departments and career paths. Many progressed into apprenticeships, higher education, or NHS employment, demonstrating the value of T Levels as a route into healthcare careers.

Building on this success, the Department for Education is launching a new grant-funded project from October 2025 to March 2028, expanding IPCO support to seven new ICSs:

• Coventry and Warwickshire ICS
• One Gloucestershire ICS
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICS
• NHS North Central London ICS
• NHS North East and North Cumbria ICS
• Greater Manchester ICS
• Suffolk and North East Essex ICS

This next phase will strengthen the integration of T Levels within ICS workforce systems, increase local placement capacity, and promote consistent quality across participating regions.

T Level placements offer NHS employers a strategic opportunity to build a future ready workforce, reduce recruitment costs by nurturing local talent, improve diversity and inclusion through early engagement, and strengthen relationships with education providers.

For NHS employers, hosting T Level placements is a powerful way to shape the future workforce, support local talent, and strengthen recruitment pipelines. With dedicated IPCOs, employers receive tailored support to manage placements efficiently and sustainably.

If you are ready to host an industry placement, but need more help getting ready, we offer free, tailored support sessions.  You can request a one-to-one or group session through our online contact form.