T Level Industry Placements – TESP needs you!

TESP is asking electrical contractors across England to offer a T Level ‘industry placement’ to help support the next generation of electricians.

T Levels, the new technical training route for 16-18 year olds, are a Level 3 qualification taken over two years, where the learner spends 80 percent of their time at college and 20 percent in the workplace.

Learners need on-site experience over 315 hours (around 45 days) via an industry placement, working with an electrical contractor to gain on-site skills and knowledge.

Once they complete their T Level, learners can progress onto an ‘accelerated apprenticeship’ already with skills and knowledge under their belt, making for a shorter apprenticeship training programme.

With minimal financial outlay as there is no obligation to pay wages, the benefits of offering a placement include increased productivity and efficiency, as well as giving something back to the industry’s future workforce.

Paul Western of Helix Electrical who recently provided an industry placement to a T Level learner via Chichester College, said:

“The benefits from a business perspective having the learner work with us has been the additional productivity we’ve been able to achieve,” he said. “We found we were probably 20-25% more productive over time, which translates into additional revenue for the company.”

For those possibly thinking about recruiting an apprentice, as the learner is with a company over a prolonged period of time, T Level industry placements provide an ideal opportunity to test the water with a potential apprentice and get to know them before committing to an apprenticeship.

Nathan Smith, TESP Skills Ambassador, said:

“We all remember that first opportunity we got in the industry when we first started out; this is now your chance to give that same opportunity to someone else.”

“It’s not just the feel-good factor that comes with passing your skills and knowledge onto a young learner, it’s the business benefits that come with it as well. Increased productivity and efficiency, an extra pair of hands, plus an all-important extended interview period if you like if you’re considering someone for an apprenticeship.”

There are providers across England offering the T Level in ‘Building Services Engineering for Construction’, which includes the electrotechnical specialism route. All are calling out for electrical contractors of all sizes to assist them in offering industry placements.

To find out more visit the Electrical Careers website