Employer Partnerships

We are proud to work closely with a wide range of businesses, employers, and universities who play a vital role in shaping our students' futures. These partnerships are especially important for our T-Level students, as industry placements form a core part of the course.

By offering real-world experience alongside classroom learning, our partners help students develop the practical skills, insight, and confidence they need to thrive in the workplace. Whether through placements, workshops, mentoring or university outreach, these collaborations ensure our young people are better prepared for the next step—whether that's into employment, an apprenticeship, or higher education.

Find out how you can get involved email: partnership@ernestbevinacademy.org.uk TODAY.

The Importance of Industry Placements in T-Levels

T-Levels have been developed to make students and employers’ lives easier. With businesses taking part, they help shape the students skill sets that employers will need for the future.

It is mandatory and essential for each T-Level to have to have industry placements. This gives the students opportunities to learn and develop new skills. They can use the valuable information they learn in the classroom and apply it to their practice – becoming informative and advantageous in the workplace.

If the students have a longer duration with the placements, this means that they will learn and understand the crucial elements needed to work in the sector. Employers will be able to educate the students so they are job ready. As a result of this, students will have a more stable employment pathway with the specific course they have chosen.T Level students will spend a minimum of 315 hours over 45-50 days with employers in a role directly relevant to their course. Each T-Level is equivalent in size to 3 A levels and helps young people develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace.

What are industry placements?

A simpler approach to vocational training

An industry placement is part of a T Level course - a new qualification for 16-19-year olds designed by employers.

T Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action.

Industry placements are a shift from traditional work experience to a longer, more structured placement in the workplace for young people to develop real work skills and make a meaningful contribution to your organisation. Placements will last at least 315 hours (approx. 45 days), either in day release or blocks.

Ways to Partner with us

Supporting mock interviews
Providing employability support i.e. Guest speakers
Giving career talks
Sharing best practices of your sector specialism and experience
Offering work experience
Insight days – students invited to spend time in your business to gain an understanding of the ‘world of work’.
Development days – staff invited to spend time in your business (Support training, business knowledge and relationship building).
Support with course content and development
Set live briefs for students to work on.
Guaranteeing a job interview for work placement students.
Providing industry placements in preparation for, and during, T Level implementation

Our students

We have over 30 years’ experience delivering Computer science, Information Technology and digital qualifications.
Many of our students go on to study STEM related degrees including Computer Science, Cyber security, Maths and Engineering.
Projects range from Neural Networks, Predictive decision trees, Turing Machines, Recommender systems, Bitcoin simulations, online apprenticeship matcher and many more.
Our students go on to secure apprenticeships in STEM related fields.

Support our Employer Partnerships and gain access to:

Guidance on available funding
Sponsorship opportunities – including joint bid and tendering prospects

You can gain access to a young, future talent pool:

Gain access to placement candidates who arrive informed, motivated, and ready to contribute from day one.
Minimize early withdrawals and ensure placements deliver real value for both the learner and your business.
Nurture future talent by connecting with young individuals who are already aligned with your industry’s needs.
Enhance your company’s local presence and demonstrate leadership in social responsibility and community impact.

In turn, this further demonstrates your commitment to:

Support levelling up
Help close skills gaps
Corporate social responsibility

Register your interset

FAQs

Who can offer industry placements?

If you are an employer in England (unavailable in Scotland and Wales), you can offer an industry placement to a T Level student.

Industry placements must take place in a work environment, so it's a good idea to offer placements via a T Level school or college that's close to your organisation's premises.

Before you offer a placement, you should make sure you're happy with your responsibilities as an employer.

How many placements can I offer?

You can offer as many industry placements as you wish.

How much does it cost?

T Level industry placements are a free government scheme - you don't need to pay to take on a T Level student for a placement.

There may be certain business costs, like time invested in planning, training and supervising, and you can choose to pay the student if you wish.

Find out more about the business benefits and costs of an industry placement

Why should I offer industry placements?

Industry placements give you a chance to work alongside the next generation of workers entering your industry, making sure they develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to succeed.

They give you:

fresh ideas and input from the next generation
a talent pipeline for the future
a way for you to fill skills gaps
a chance for staff to develop supervisory and mentoring skills
an opportunity to build a more diverse workforce
an enhanced reputation in your community

Find out more about the benefits of an industry placement

How do I offer an industry placement?

More than 5000 employers are already working with local schools and colleges to offer industry placements. Find out more about how industry placements work

If you are interested in offering a placement please get in touch with Caitlin Coleman at partnership@ernestbevinacademy.org.uk to discuss how you can get involved.

Or fill in this form to Register your interest

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