Industry placements are part of the government’s reforms to technical education aimed at boosting productivity and giving young people the skills your business needs.
Industry placements give young people studying a technical course practical experience directly related to their course, helping to prepare them for the world of work. Employers play a key role in creating these opportunities for young people at the start of their careers. Placements help develop technical and employability skills and build confidence.
The Department for Education recognises that industry placements are new and a big adjustment for employers. Therefore, it is very important that as many employers as possible across all industries start working with local providers now to plan and deliver T Level-style placements so that the introduction of T Level courses from September 2020 onward goes smoothly.
By offering a placement, you could help young people develop technical and employability skills relevant to your business. Placements last for a minimum of 315 hours (roughly 45 days) and might be delivered as blocks or regular days each week, depending on the learning plan for the course.
T Levels are new technical study courses coming in 2020, which will follow GCSEs and be equivalent to three A Levels.
T levels will combine classroom theory, practical learning and a minimum of 315 hours (roughly 45 days) industry placement to make sure students have real experience of the workplace.
The 2 year T level courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content will meet the needs of industry and prepare students for work.
Colleges and learning providers are already working with businesses to begin delivering industry placements from this year onwards.
The first T Levels in Construction, Digital, and Education & Childcare will be offered in September 2020 by selected colleges here in the South West. More subjects will be offered in the years that follow.
If you can offer a placement, you will be supported by a local learning provider, such as a school, college or independent training provider at every stage of the process.
This will include assistance with the necessary paperwork, a careful planning process and support with designing the placement.
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) provides advice on T Level industry placements to employers. They can also match employers with local training providers who are currently offering industry placements. You can contact them on 08000 150 600 or email Tlevel.Placement@education.gov.uk
To find out more about T Levels, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/industry-placements
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership was one of 38 LEPs in England. The LEP was a leader and influencer for economic growth, job creation and prosperity across the Heart of the South West area covering Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
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Chief Executive
David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.
Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.
David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.