T Level Industry Placement case study: From placement to profession — Navy Digital’s expanding talent pipeline

Navy Digital, part of the Ministry of Defence, designs and delivers critical digital solutions that support the Royal Navy's operational effectiveness. From bespoke software to powerful data analytics tools, Navy Digital’s work enhances everything from resource scheduling to Naval fleet readiness. But behind the high-level digital systems lies a deep-rooted commitment to something more human: investing in future talent.

In 2023/24, Navy Digital began a pilot hosting two T Level students on industry placement. That number  doubled for the second cohort, and there are plans to welcome eight students in 2025/26 a growth that reflects both the success of the programme and the organisation’s confidence in its potential.

“We wanted to create social value in the local area while addressing a real business need,” explains Amanda Marshall, the civil servant who leads the placement programme. “We work with our commercial digital partner to build software, but with the right training, our local students can become the next generation of developers for Defence.”

Working with Fareham College and UTC Portsmouth, Navy Digital selects students from the T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development. Carefully structured projects give students hands-on experience while building their professional confidence.

Building more than code

Max and Jamie, from UTC Portsmouth, are two such students. Their placement began with the usual nerves — navigating security protocols and adjusting to a new work culture. But what quickly followed is genuine engagement and impressive innovation.

“The office was nothing like I expected,” says Jamie. “I thought it would be very formal, but it’s relaxed and professional — everyone is willing to teach us something.”

Together, Max and Jamie are developing a proof-of-concept digital fire register using Near Field Communication-enabled ID cards and tablets. Their solution aims to modernise a paper-based process – real work that will enhance safety and accountability in the event of an evacuation.

Meanwhile, Peter and Reuben from Fareham College are tackling a similar challenge, exploring digital register systems using Microsoft Power Platform. “I was drawn to Navy Digital because of the tools they use,” Peter reflects. “Learning Power Apps is practical and industry-relevant.”

The students are learning technical tools, but also vital soft skills: teamwork, communication, and project planning. “It’s not just about knowing how to code,” says Amanda. “It’s about knowing how to communicate your ideas and work through problems with others — and that’s what we see them develop here.”

Holly’s journey: From T Level student to defence contractor

No story illustrates the opportunities offered through industry placements better than Holly’s.

Holly joined the programme from Fareham College, unsure what to expect from a placement at a military base. “I didn’t even realise what the MOD was at first,” she laughs. “It wasn’t something I ever thought I’d be part of.”

But within weeks, Holly began to find her footing. She and a fellow student were tasked with designing an onboarding solution for new starters — a digital app or website that could help orientate people joining or leaving a Platform or shore-side unit. Holly led the creation of a mobile app using React Native, drawing on skills she had started to build in college.

“I felt proud — it was a chance to show what I could do while still collaborating as a team,” she says.

“It pushed me out of my shell. By the end of the placement, I was presenting my work confidently to a room full of professionals.”

That confidence — and her skills — didn’t go unnoticed. After completing her T Level, Holly was offered a position with Digi2al, a contractor working directly with Navy Digital. Today, she’s a young professional working on real-world Defence technology, and a powerful role model for students coming up behind her.

A model for growth

Amanda is clear about the vision: “We’re not doing this just to tick a box. This is a real pipeline. These students bring energy, ideas, and long-term potential to Defence Digital.”

The placement structure is robust and secure. Students work in sandboxed environments where they can experiment without risk. They are supported by technical mentors and assessed against the same standards as other delivery teams. And they gain insights not just into software development, but into what it means to work in a mission-driven, high-integrity setting.

Tom Blandin, from UTC Portsmouth, has seen the transformation firsthand. “Students develop a new understanding of the workplace. They go in with one view and come out with another — more mature, more adaptable, and more employable.”

While technical skills are a key focus of the Digital T Level course at Fareham College (South Hampshire College Group), the value of an industry placement goes beyond just the technical. It provides students with essential workplace ethics and behaviours that are highly valued by employers. Debbie Eacott from Fareham College highlights this balance: “We prepare them for the technical side, but also the soft skills — how to ask for help, how to show up ready to learn. The placements bring all of that together.”

Looking ahead

As the number of placements grows, so too does the value — for students, for the colleges, and for Navy Digital. With eight students set to join in 2025/26, the programme is not just expanding — it’s evolving into a model of how industry placements can build real-world skills, confidence and careers.

And for the students, it’s more than a placement. It’s the first step into their futures.