From September, Longley Park Sixth Form will enter our third year of T-Levels. We offer qualifications in Education and Early Years , Management and Administration- Team Leadership and Digital Support Services-Cyber Security.
What are T Levels?
T Levels combine classroom learning with hands-on experience in the workplace. Students spend around 80% of their time in an educational setting, gaining the core knowledge and skills that employers are looking for. The remaining 20% is spent on a substantial industry placement, giving learners the opportunity to develop the practical abilities, mindset, and experience needed to succeed in a professional environment.
This structure differs significantly from apprenticeships, where the focus is reversed: 80% of the time is spent working in a real job, with 20% dedicated to off-the-job training. Apprenticeships are more immersive in the workplace, whereas T Levels provide a stronger emphasis on classroom-based learning alongside industry exposure.
Employers
Many employers have reported a shortage of skilled workers, posing a potential risk to future business growth. To tackle this challenge, the government has collaborated with hundreds of employers to create T Level courses specifically designed to equip young people with the skills businesses need to fill these gaps.
A key element of every T Level is the industry placement, where students spend a minimum of 315 hours (around 45 days) in a real work environment. Some courses, such as Early Years and Education, involve extended placements of up to 21 weeks or 750 hours, reflecting the demands of the sector.
These placements provide employers with a valuable opportunity to shape the next generation of talent, ensuring students are prepared for the workplace. Any employer across England can take part by offering a placement to a T Level student.
Industry placements
Industry placements must take place in a real work setting, so it's often most practical for employers to partner with a nearby T Level school or college.
Before offering a placement, it’s important to understand and feel comfortable with the responsibilities involved as an employer. There’s no limit to the number of placements you can provide, though you should be aware of potential costs—such as time spent planning, training, and supervising students. While payment is optional, some employers choose to pay students during their placement.
You’re welcome to offer a placement to any T Level student if you believe the experience will be valuable—even if your organisation’s focus doesn’t directly match the student's course. For instance, a company without a specific digital focus can still support a Digital and IT student.
These placements are a great way for employers to engage with and help shape the future workforce, ensuring students gain the right mix of knowledge, skills, and workplace readiness.
T Level students can bring real value to your organisation, offering:
- Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from the next generation
- A future talent pipeline tailored to your business needs
- Support in addressing skills shortages
- Opportunities for your staff to develop mentoring and leadership skills
- A pathway to building a more diverse and inclusive workforce
- A boost to your organisation’s reputation within the local community
Already, over 2,000 employers across the country are partnering with local schools and colleges to provide industry placements.
Through their studies, T Level learners gain both a broad understanding of the sector and in-depth knowledge in a specific area, aligned with real occupational roles.
After completing a T Level, students are well-prepared to move on to:
- Skilled employment
- Higher or degree-level apprenticeships
- Further study, including Higher Technical Qualifications or university-level education
