Engineering UK and Make UK: Unlocking Talent report on T-Levels

T-Levels: Opportunity and Challenge in manufacturing 

A recent report by Engineering UK and Make UK has sought to understand how the introduction of T-Levels is helping develop a pipeline of talent into the engineering and manufacturing sectors in the UK. In their joint report, Unlocking Talent: Ensuring T-Levels deliver the workforce of the future, T-Levels are found to “represent a transformative opportunity for technical education in the UK” whilst acknowledging “There is more to be done to give a greater number of employers in manufacturing and engineering the confidence to offer industry placements”.

Key Findings:
Opportunities for employers from engaging with T Levels

• Engineering and manufacturing businesses across the country are keen to bring in the next generation of talent, and many see T Levels as a chance to develop a pipeline of future engineers and engage young people in the industry for the first time as they enter the workplace.
• Awareness of T Levels among employers in the sector remains mixed, however, there is an openness to taking on industry placements.
• Enhancing employers’ understanding of T Levels and what is expected of a business taking on an industry placement will be a critical part of improving the uptake of T Levels.
• The introduction of engineering and manufacturing T Levels from September 2022 marks one of the most significant changes for a generation to the technical qualifications available for young people entering the sector.
• The industry placement is a crucial aspect of the new qualification, and it is vital that industry, government, and providers work together to ensure that there are sufficient placements available with employers in the engineering and manufacturing route for learners to succeed.

Challenges facing employers engaging with T-Levels:

• When considering whether they would be able to offer industry placements, financial and resource barriers – not least the internal capacity to supervise T Level students in the workplace – are among those most frequently identified by employers.
• Employers highlighted concerns around the accessibility of placements in some areas of the country owing to transport constraints, and the safety and legal status of young learners in safety-critical industries.
• Employers want to know that through their involvement in T Levels, they can provide a meaningful placement for a young person and that there is a pathway to progression for that person into further training or employment.
• There is uncertainty over where T Levels sit in the landscape of technical qualifications and the options for moving into further training or skilled employment is another barrier to be overcome.
• There is more to be done to give a greater number of employers in manufacturing and engineering the confidence to offer industry placements.

Recommendations
The report also makes the following recommendations based on its research:

1. Government to urgently reinstate the £1,000 financial incentive per industry placement for small and medium-sized employers.
2. The Department for Education to extend the number of hours that a placement can take place in a simulated work environment such as a training centre or skills hub.
3. The Department for Education to explore how to replicate/expand the digital apprenticeship service to cover T Level placements.
4. The Department for Education works with business and sector groups to run a large-scale T Level awareness campaign targeted at employers.
5. The Department for Education works with the Department for Transport, the Department for Levelling Up, and local authorities to address the transport barriers for young people highlighted in this report.
6. The Department for Education works with relevant partners in the engineering and manufacturing sector to make the most of existing T Level resources by tailoring them for engineering and manufacturing employers.
7. The Department for Education and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to develop clear progression maps for both T Level students and employers.
8. The government to establish a T Level industry placement task force.
9. Opportunities across government to promote T Level placements are used effectively.

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T Levels are equivalent to 3 A Levels. They’re 80% classroom, 20% work with a 45-day industry placement to get you to the next level!

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