Lots of employers have been hosting industry placements over the last two years for 16, 17 and 18 year olds in school and college education and providing an extended period of structured time that a student spends in the workplace, developing real skills and making a meaningful contribution to the organisation. They are also a fundamental part of the government’s reforms to technical education including T levels which are the new highly aspirational level 3 qualifications that began to be delivered this year by schools and colleges and sit alongside A levels, applied generals and apprenticeships as an option for 16-18 year olds. From 2022, young people will be applying to access high level programmes having completed their T level, including full time degrees, higher and degree apprenticeships.

Last year UVAC published an article which took a critical look at the role of T levels amongst the reforms of technical and vocational education and skills. You can read this HERE:

Universities have as much interest in finding out what placements look like for particular roles and how it could support workforce development, not only in terms of progression routes for young people into higher education, but as employers. See more on the invitation to attend relevant briefings and workshops HERE and forward to colleagues within your institution who would benefit from knowing more.

Over the autumn, the Department for Education (DfE) and the Strategic Development Network (SDN) are hosting a series of webinars for employers, looking at what industry placements look like in the following skill areas:
• Introduction to industry placements (15 Dec)
• Legal, Finance and Accounting (27 Oct)
• Engineering and Manufacturing (3 Nov)
• Business and Administration (9 Nov)
• Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care (8 Dec)
• Creative and Design (17 Dec)

In the webinars, you’ll have chance to hear from employers who are already hosting placements in these roles, how industry placement students might contribute to your workforce development in the current circumstances, and the support now available.

The sessions are FREE OF CHARGE. Universities, as employers, can find out more and register HERE.

Do visit the industry placement website for more guidance, tools and support HERE.

Any questions about the sessions? Email [email protected]