New tailored resource aims to help employers with T-level science student placements

A new resource to help businesses develop their technical talent pipeline through industry placements for T-level science students has been published.

Securing technical talent for your business: How T-level science can deliver the skilled workforce your business needs has been developed collaboratively by the Institute of Physics (IOP), Cogent Skills, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Food Science and Technology, the Royal Society of Biology, and the Science Council.

The resource, funded by Gatsby, brings together essential information about industry placements specifically for science employers with the benefits and practicalities of placements clearly explained through the real-life experiences of employers already participating. It also includes tips on finding a school or college, agreeing the details of a placement, selecting the student, the tasks, supervision, and monitoring.

T-levels are a new technical qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds in England. The two-year courses are an alternative to A-levels and Level 3 apprenticeships with one T-level being equivalent to three A-levels. The course includes classroom learning (80%) and an industry placement (20%).

A key component of T-levels, the industry placement gives students hands-on experience of working in the sector and the chance to put the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to practical use.

Hari Rentala, Head of Learning and Skills, IOP, said: “T-levels have been developed in partnership with employers and aim to address the challenges employers tell us they face when recruiting the skilled technical staff they need.

“But we know too many science employers are unnecessarily put off by perceived barriers to hosting industry work placements – a crucial part of the qualification and a great way to get a taster of the value that T-level students could bring to their business.

“This resource will help address common misperceptions holding back science employers with practical advice and guidance.”

Further information to support employers with industry placements is on the Government website.