What are industry placements?
Video length: 5 minutes 17 seconds
Give young people real experience – and grow your future workforce
T Level industry placements connect employers with talented 16-19 year old students who are studying technical subjects. Placements give students a chance to apply their learning in a real workplace – and give you the chance to bring in fresh ideas, develop young talent, and shape the skills your sector needs.
Why get involved
Hosting a T Level student can help your organisation to:
- bring in new energy, ideas and up-to-date knowledge
- get extra support on real projects or longer-term tasks
- build a pipeline of future recruits who understand your business
- raise your profile locally and support the next generation in your industry
Placements are flexible and designed to work around your business needs.
What’s involved
Each student must complete a minimum of 315 hours (around 45 days) of industry placement as part of their course. You don’t have to provide all of this time yourself. Many employers contribute part of a student’s placement, for example by:
- hosting a shorter period on-site alongside other employers in the supply chain
- supporting a small-team project or defined piece of work
- offering hybrid or remote activity linked to your business needs
Some courses, such as Early Years Educator or Dental Nursing, require a longer total placement to meet professional standards.
There’s no cost to host a student.
While students do not need to be paid, you may have small indirect costs – for example supervision or equipment.
Who can host
Any employer can offer a placement – from small businesses to large organisations. You can host one student or several, across one or more sites. If your business operates in multiple locations, we can help you coordinate placements nationally.
What you’ll provide
You’ll need to offer:
- a safe and supportive working environment
- opportunities for the student to build technical and employability skills
- a named supervisor or mentor
- an induction to help them settle in
- short review meetings to check progress
You’ll also need to:
- complete relevant risk assessments
- hold employer liability insurance
- follow health and safety, safeguarding and equality policies
- sign a short industry placement agreement with your local T Level provider
Your school or college partner will guide you through these steps.
Support you’ll receive
Your local T Level school or college will:
- match you with suitable students
- help you plan and structure the placement
- provide templates, guidance and ongoing support
You don’t need to create a new role or adjust your normal operations – placements are designed to fit around your business activities.
Flexible across all sectors
There are over 20 T Level courses available across 10 skill areas – including digital, construction, engineering, health, business, and education. You don’t need to be in the same industry to host a student. For example, a healthcare charity could host a Digital student to work on data or communications projects.
Ready to take the next step?
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