Employer engagement and capacity to support T Level industry placements

The government's planned reform of technical education and the skills system in England will support young people and adults to secure a lifetime of sustained skilled employment. After studying core academic subjects until at least 16, young people will be presented with academic or technical opportunities for further education. The two main Level 3 technical options will be either an apprenticeship, or a T Level including an industry placement element. These will prepare individuals for skilled employment by embedding technical knowledge and practical skills valued by industry. The T...  [+] Show more

The government's planned reform of technical education and the skills system in England will support young people and adults to secure a lifetime of sustained skilled employment. After studying core academic subjects until at least 16, young people will be presented with academic or technical opportunities for further education. The two main Level 3 technical options will be either an apprenticeship, or a T Level including an industry placement element. These will prepare individuals for skilled employment by embedding technical knowledge and practical skills valued by industry. The T Level programme covers 11 technical routes with 27 occupational pathways sitting within these. T Levels will generally be studied over two years, and will include a new technical qualification, combined with a substantial industry placement of 45-60 days. Industry placements will enable young people to put into practice and further develop the knowledge, practical skills and behaviours that they have learnt in the classroom.

IFF Research and the Learning and Work Institute were commissioned by the Department for Education to better understand employers' capacity and likelihood to offer T Level industry placements. It also aimed to establish any challenges and barriers that employers may face in offering placements and any additional support that they may require. The information in this report has been gathered through 120 interviews with employers across different occupations and industries. It explores: employers engagement with existing work-based learning opportunities, along with barriers to providing these and potential solutions; and initial reactions to T Level industry placements and capacity to deliver industry placements, along with support required. Findings will be used to inform how best to engage employers and promote industry placements.

Edited excerpts from publication and publisher's website.