During T Levels week, it’s important to celebrate the major benefits that these qualifications can bring to businesses, as well as young people. Today’s economy is constantly evolving and changing, making T Levels one of the crucial ways to ensure that employers have a skilled and ready workforce fit for the future.
To mark Workplace Wednesday, HSDC is discussing the various benefits that T Levels provide businesses with, showcasing the plethora of opportunities that employers gain by engaging with these important and dynamic qualifications. HSDC works with over 1,500 employers across all departments and a range of industries, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of the modern workplace.
Addressing Skills Shortages
Persistent changes in the workplace often means that there is a significant skills gap between what is required by employers and those available. HSDC’s T Levels have been designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure that our curriculum aligns with the needs of contemporary businesses. Offering placements to T Level students is one of the crucial ways in which businesses can continue to thrive in a constantly changing economy.
Future Water is a joint venture firm who recently hosted two HSDC students on their T Level work experience programmes. Speaking about these skills shortages, a spokesperson from Future Water said:
“The construction industry in particular faces a significant skills gap, making these T Level placements vital in developing the next generation of talent.”
Fresh Perspectives
By offering work experience to T Level students, companies are opening their doors to a wide range of fresh and business-savvy perspectives. T Level students at HSDC are trained in the latest technologies and methodologies, ensuring that these learners approach their placements with a fresh set of eyes and an approach that can invigorate a business.
Drift IT Services work to bring digital technology and skills into education across the South East, and hosted several T Level students for their industry placements. Drift IT said:
“Our experience with these placements has been hugely rewarding. The T Level students bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to learn, giving us the opportunity to shape the next generation of talent within the digital industry.”
Talent Acquisition
HSDC’s T Levels are developed with employers to ensure that businesses have early access to young people who are passionate about developing their skills. The hands-on experience and insight of a T Level placement is the perfect way for companies to assess a student’s fit for their organisation in a real-world setting. They are an excellent and highly practical recruitment pipeline for companies in a wide range of industries.
A key example of this talent acquisition in action can be seen at Snows Toyota – two students who completed their T Level industry placement with them are currently employed there. A spokesperson from Snows’ Waterlooville branch spoke about the benefits of T Levels for sourcing future talent:
“When I first came into contact with the T Level students from HSDC, I could not speak highly enough of the programme and the opportunities it has provided. Our two former placement students are now highly valued members of the team thanks to the T Level programme!”
Internal Skills Development
By recruiting students for a T Level placement, businesses have the rare and unique opportunity to upskill their own employees. By providing them with students to mentor and coach, businesses can develop the leadership and management skills of existing workers, highlighting the key way in which T Levels can enhance every level of a company.
Social Responsibility
Businesses that actively engage with T Levels and host students on work placements do more than just deliver a product or service to consumers, they contribute to society in a truly impactful way. They enhance social mobility, foster goodwill among employees and consumers alike and improve the educational opportunities of those who undertake placements with them.
Suki Dhesi, HSDC’s Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Quality, spoke about the skills gap that HSDC’s T Level students can fill for employers:
“HSDC’s carefully chosen T Levels offer a vital solution for employers grappling with today’s skills shortages. By blending 80% learning in the classroom and 20% with an employer, we’re proud to be delivering a pipeline of ambitious, highly-skilled young talent. This isn’t just education; it’s a strategic investment in the future workforce, ensuring our curriculum is directly shaped by the needs of local employers, making T Level graduates day-one ready to contribute. HSDC’s T Level students continue to make us proud!”
If you are interested in hosting a T Level student from HSDC on an industry placement, find out more here: https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/t-levels-and-industry-placements/