Employers will be able to claim a £1,000 cash boost for every T Level student they host on a high-quality industry placement, as part of a new incentive scheme launched on Wednesday 27 May 2021.

The new technical qualifications – co-created with over 250 employers including Fujitsu and Amazon – are equivalent to three A Levels and uniquely combine classroom study with industry placements.

T Levels are a key part of the government’s reforms to revolutionise skills and technical education, generating the skilled workforce that businesses need for the future and giving students the experience they need to progress into well-paid jobs, further study or an apprenticeship.

Industry placements form a key component of T Level courses, with students spending at least 45 days (or 315 hours) with an employer. They offer local businesses an excellent chance to nurture and build a skilled talent pipeline for the future, while helping to level up opportunities as we recover from the pandemic. Students gain vital hands-on experience and invaluable insight of the world of work, setting them up for success in the next steps of their career.

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said:

Employers are already recognising the value hosting a T Level industry placement can bring to their business, helping them to build the skilled workforce they need for the future. This temporary cash boost will help even more employers to experience the benefits, while also providing young people with invaluable first-hand experience in the workplace.

The incentive fund is designed to offer support to employers impacted by the pandemic, to ensure they can continue to host placements. Employers will be able to claim for up to 20 students for the available T Level subject areas from 27 May 2021 until July 2022.

The first three T Levels in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, Digital Production, Design and Development and Education and Childcare were introduced in September 2020.

Bridgwater & Taunton College will also introduce Health (Nursing) T level and Building Services Engineering for Construction T Level into the curriculum in September 2021.

Chris Young, Education and Skills Delivery Manager, Hinkley Point C Project said:

T Levels bring many benefits to business and that’s why we have committed to supporting T Level industry placements as part of the Hinkley Point C Project in the 2021/22 curriculum year.

We worked with our partners Bridgwater & Taunton College during the pandemic to offer support to learners and we continue to work closely with them to support both the digital and construction T Level pathways we’ll offer from September.

Four students studying the Digital Production, Design & Development T Level at the Taunton campus recently completed a placement at digital signage, advertising and innovations company Copper Dot Digital.

Founder Oliver Pyle-Santini reflected,

My experience of working with BTC has been excellent. The communication was clear and concise which made the process hassle-free and enjoyable.

The students I interviewed were bright, engaging and positive about themselves and the future. I feel this is testament to the education they have received, as much as their own personalities.

For more information on how your business can get involved in the T Levels, please visit https://www.btc.ac.uk/employers/become-a-tlevel-partner/or email business@btc.ac.uk.