Businesses across Staffordshire are being encouraged to unlock the next generation of talent by offering T Level industry placements.
More than 17 students have completed placements at Staffordshire County Council, with further students gaining workplace experience across healthcare, business and digital roles at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT).
T Levels are two-year qualifications for young people who have completed their GCSEs. Equivalent in size to three A Levels, they combine classroom learning with practical experience in the workplace. Students typically spend around 80 per cent of their course learning at school or college and 20 per cent putting those skills into practice through an industry placement with an employer.
The placement lasts at least 315 hours, around 45 days, and gives students meaningful experience of the workplace while giving employers an opportunity to support and develop emerging talent in their own business and industry.
At Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, T Level students have gained experience across a wide variety of services.
Claire French, Future Workforce Lead at MPFT, said:
Over the last three years, we've welcomed 76 T Level students into placements across healthcare, business, finance, digital and engineering services and are expanding opportunities across more NHS careers, including social care.
Students gain valuable workplace experience, while organisations benefit from fresh talent, innovative thinking and the opportunity to develop their future workforce.
We're proud to have seen students progress into apprenticeships and join our Trust Bank, demonstrating the positive impact these opportunities can have on future careers.”
At Staffordshire County Council, 17 students have already completed T Level placements, with a further eight gaining experience across areas including business management, legal, marketing, science and digital services.
Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:
Staffordshire businesses need skilled people to grow, and our young people need the opportunity to show what they can do. T Level placements help deliver both.
For employers, this is a practical opportunity to bring new skills and ideas into their business, help develop young talent and potentially find a future employee.
We’ve seen this at the county council, with students progressing into jobs in the electric vehicle and digital industries, as well as apprenticeships with us. These placements can make a real difference to a young person’s future.
I’d encourage businesses of all sizes to speak to their local college or us about offering a placement. Giving a young person their first opportunity could also be a valuable investment in your own business.”
Businesses interested in offering a T Level industry placement can contact the county council’s T Level Business Ambassadors to find out more: leo.wilsonweaver@staffordshire.gov.uk or nick.tucker@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Young people considering a T Level can find out more at Staffordshire Jobs and Careers.
