Sharing responsibility for industry placements within your organisation

Planning an industry placement can feel like a lot to take on at first. In practice, placements work best when responsibility is shared – even if that simply means one or two people supporting different parts of the process.

This guide helps you think about who in your organisation might be involved and how responsibilities can be shared across the industry placement journey.

The roles below are examples. In smaller organisations, one person may cover several of these roles. That’s absolutely fine – use this guide in a way that fits your structure and capacity.

Responsibilities are grouped into four stages:

• planning and preparation
• final preparations
• during the placement
• review and evaluation

Senior lead / sponsor

(This may be a business owner, senior manager, director or team lead.)

Planning and preparation

• Decide who will lead on industry placements for your organisation
• Consider how placements support your wider business or workforce plans
• Identify any high-level processes or policies that may be affected

Final preparations

• Show visible support for the placement and encourage others to get involved
• Communicate why your organisation is offering placements and what you hope to gain

During the placement

• Take part in welcoming the student where possible, reinforcing your organisation’s commitment to developing talent

Review and evaluation

• Review the overall value of the placement for your organisation
• Decide whether to offer further placements and where they might sit in the business
• Share successes and recognise the contribution of those involved

Learning and development / training lead

(This may be a manager, team leader or the person coordinating the placement)

Planning and preparation

• Identify the people who will support the placement
• Nominate a line manager or mentor (these may be the same person)
• Make sure those involved feel confident and supported in their role

Final preparations

• Work with the provider and line manager to plan suitable projects and activities
• Liaise with another employer if the placement is shared
• Identify any additional training that could support the student’s development
• Help organise induction arrangements

During the placement

• Check in regularly with the line manager or mentor
• Make sure the placement is working well for both the student and the business
• Share updates and benefits of the placement more widely within the organisation

Review and evaluation

• Contribute to discussions about what worked well and what could improve
• Feed into decisions about future placements
• Help capture learning and celebrate success

People / HR support

(This may be a formal HR function or the person responsible for people processes.)

Planning and preparation

• Work with others to link placements to workforce planning
• Brief the provider on the type of student and skills you’re looking for
• Help prepare a role outline for the placement
• Decide whether the student will be paid and how this will be managed
• Confirm legal and policy requirements (such as health and safety and insurance)
• Discuss support for students with special educational needs or disabilities
• Agree any selection process with the provider (e.g. CVs or interviews)
• Consider how wellbeing and mental health will be supported[RI1] 

Final preparations

• Agree and sign the industry placement agreement
• Check that induction covers key people and HR-related topics

During the placement

• Make sure joining instructions and expectations are shared before the student starts

Review and evaluation

• Reflect on the placement from a people and workforce perspective
• Support decisions about offering further placements
• Share positive outcomes and learning

Line manager / mentor

(The person supporting the student day to day.)

Planning and preparation

• Understand what the placement is aiming to achieve and how it links to the student’s course
• Reflect on your own confidence in supervising or mentoring and seek support if helpful

Final preparations

• Help agree the placement plan, including working hours and learning goals
• Design tasks and projects that build skills in a logical way
• Prepare induction activities to help the student settle in

During the placement

• Take part in induction and make sure the student understands what’s expected
• Monitor the student closely at the start and support them to settle in
• Guide the student on workplace communication and behaviour
• Provide opportunities to practise skills and build confidence
• Support the development of technical and employability skills
• Offer a range of tasks and projects to avoid repetition
• Monitor progress and give regular, constructive feedback
• Take part in progress reviews
• Raise any concerns or successes with the provider so support can be adjusted

Review and evaluation

• Contribute to the end-of-placement review
• Provide feedback on the student’s achievements and development
• Offer a short appraisal for the student’s future use

Next steps

Many employers start with a single placement and build their involvement over time as confidence and capacity grow.

If you’re interested in offering an industry placement, get in touch with T Level schools or colleges near you. They’ll help you shape an approach that works for your organisation.