Common questions about Engineering and Manufacturing industry placements

T Level industry placements give students hands-on experience in a real engineering or manufacturing setting – while providing employers with fresh ideas, early access to talent, and support for their future workforce.

Here are some of the most common questions employers ask – and how your local school or college can support you to take part.

What if we can’t offer a full-time, long-term or regular placement?

That’s not a problem. T Level placements are flexible and can be arranged in a way that suits your capacity and schedule. The 315-hour placement can be completed through:

• One or two days per week over a longer period
• Block placements during quieter or more suitable times
• A blend of day release and blocks
• Sharing the placement between up to three employers
• Up to 20% of hours delivered remotely for appropriate tasks
• Up to one-third of hours conducted through approved simulated activities in skills hubs or training centres

Schools and colleges can help tailor the model to suit your business operations.

Can we offer placements outside of technical engineering roles?

Yes – students can complete a placement in any part of your business that supports their course and skills development. This means you could host a student from another T Level route even if the role isn’t hands-on engineering.

For example, you might support:

• A Digital student with CAD modelling or system support
• A Business and Administration student in procurement or logistics
• A Finance or Accounting student in budgeting, payroll or project costing

The school or college will ensure the placement tasks align with the student’s qualification.

Can part of the placement be done remotely

Yes – for engineering and manufacturing T Levels, up to 20% of placement hours can be completed remotely if the tasks are appropriate. For example:

• Working on digital design projects
• Data entry or report writing
• Attending planning or project meetings online

The school or college will help you structure the remote element so that it supports the student’s learning outcomes.

What sort of tasks can a student carry out?

Students will have developed foundational technical knowledge and skills before starting their placement. Depending on your area of work, they may be able to:

• Support maintenance or repairs under supervision
• Assist with design and planning
• Carry out quality checks or measurements
• Shadow senior engineers or technicians
• Prepare materials, documentation or equipment
• Help with project administration and reporting

The school or college will help you match tasks to the student’s current skills and the learning outcomes of their T Level.

What if our workplace is high-risk or sensitive?

Many engineering settings involve safety-critical or specialist environments. That doesn’t prevent you from hosting a student. You can:

• Focus on low-risk or supervised activities
• Restrict access to confidential areas
• Start with observation and gradually introduce practical tasks

Schools and colleges are experienced in working with these types of settings and will support with risk assessments, planning, and any safeguarding requirements.

We’re concerned about supervision time – can we still take part?

Yes – schools and colleges will help make it manageable. They can provide:

• Clear task plans and goals
• Induction and mentor guidance
• Templates for feedback and supervision
• Regular contact to check how things are going

Supervision doesn’t need to be full-time or assigned to one person – many employers share this across a team.

Can we support students with additional needs?

Absolutely. Schools and colleges will work with you to plan appropriate support. This might include:

• Adjusted hours or duties
• Extra check-ins or buddy systems
• Use of assistive technologies
• A tailored support plan to ensure success

With the right planning, many students with additional needs thrive in technical settings and contribute positively to teams.

What are the benefits of getting involved?

Employers in engineering and manufacturing often say placements:

• Help spot and develop future talent
• Bring in up-to-date knowledge and a fresh outlook
• Support employee development through mentoring
• Strengthen links with local schools, colleges and the wider skills system

Even if you start small, hosting a T Level placement is a meaningful way to give back to the profession and help shape the next generation of engineers.

What if things don’t go to plan?

Even well-planned placements can come with a few bumps along the way – and that’s completely normal. Your school or college is there to support you. Whether it’s adapting tasks, re-setting expectations, or pausing and restarting the placement, you’re not expected to manage challenges alone.

Top tips for a smooth placement

• Keep communication open between you, the student and the school or college

• Treat the student like a new team member – set clear expectations and offer feedback

• Start small – confidence builds quickly with encouragement and structure

• If anything isn’t working, talk to your provider early – most issues can be easily resolved

How do we get started?

Speak to your local school or college delivering T Levels. They’ll help you:

• Choose a delivery model that suits your business
• Identify a student with the right skills and interests
• Support you from initial planning to final review

Whether you’re a large employer or a specialist SME, there’s a way to make a placement work for you.