Showcasing social value through T Level industry placements
Government suppliers bidding for public contracts are expected to incorporate social value in line with the Social Value Model (2025). Under this framework, contracting authorities select a social value outcome that is relevant and proportionate to the contract, and assess suppliers based on the credibility of their proposed delivery.
How do industry placements fit in?
T Level industry placements offer suppliers a practical, low‑risk way to respond, drawing on an established national framework with clear support from providers. They generate clear, measurable outcomes for young people while also supporting workforce development and local skills pipelines.
T Levels are two year technical qualifications for 16–19 year olds. Every student must complete a substantial industry placement (at least 315 hours). For suppliers, this creates a structured opportunity to contribute to skills development in a way that is recognised, evidence based and easy to articulate in bids.
How T Level placements align to Social Value Model outcomes
While contracting authorities will choose the outcome that best fits the contract, T Level industry placements commonly support outcomes linked to the government missions Kickstart economic growth and Break down barriers to opportunity.
In particular, placements align strongly to outcomes focused on:
Skills, employment and progression
Industry placements give young people high quality exposure to real workplaces, helping them develop technical and employability skills that are directly relevant to employer needs. Many students progress into apprenticeships, employment or further training.
For suppliers, this supports outcomes relating to the creation of new skills, improved employability and stronger local labour markets – all of which are frequently prioritised in public procurement.
Fair access and opportunity
T Level students are drawn from diverse backgrounds and include young people who may not otherwise access professional or technical roles. By offering placements, suppliers can demonstrate action to widen access and support fairer entry routes into skilled work.
Placements can be flexed across teams, locations or projects, making them suitable for a wide range of organisations, including SMEs and first-time government suppliers.
Long-term social value, not one-off activity
Under the government’s Social Value Model, social value commitments must be credible and proportionate. T Level placements demonstrate sustained investment in people and skills, rather than short term or token initiatives.
Suppliers can clearly evidence delivery through numbers of students hosted, hours completed, progression outcomes and feedback – all of which support robust evaluation.
Employer case studies:
Amazon – delivering skills outcomes at scale
Amazon uses T Level industry placements as part of its wider approach to developing future skills and supporting local communities. Placements are structured to give students meaningful experience in live environments, with clear roles and expectations.
Why this approach worked
Amazon wanted to move beyond short work experience and offer placements that genuinely build skills and confidence, while also supporting teams with additional capacity.
Outcomes achieved
Students developed workplace skills aligned to industry needs and gained insight into large‑scale operations. Teams benefited from fresh perspectives, and many students progressed into further training or employment pathways.
Relevance to the Social Value Model
Amazon is able to evidence delivery against skills and employment focused outcomes, demonstrating credible social value that supports competitive bidding.
Department for Work and Pensions – accessible placements with clear outcomes
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offered T Level industry placements to support early engagement with young people and strengthen links between education and public service careers.
Why this approach worked
DWP wanted a consistent and scalable placement model that managers could deliver confidently, while providing students with meaningful insight into public sector roles.
Outcomes achieved
Placements were designed around clear tasks and supervision, making them manageable for teams and valuable for students. Young people developed transferable skills and awareness of public service career routes.
These examples illustrate scalable approaches that can be adapted by organisations of different sizes, sectors and geographies.
Relevance to the Social value Model
DWP can clearly demonstrate outcomes for skills development and fair access, supported by robust evidence and feedback.
How to get started
If you are bidding for government contracts and want to use T Level industry placements as part of your social value response under PPN 002 Social Value Model:
- review the social value outcome specified in the tender
- consider how a placement could support delivery against that outcome
- speak to a local T Level provider about placement design and support
- start small and scale over time
- capture simple evidence: numbers hosted, progression, feedback
Any proposed placement activity should be proportionate to the contract, relevant to delivery, and achievable within the contract period.
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