How T Levels are helping manufacturing businesses recruit
This National Manufacturing Day, many businesses across the country are opening their workshop doors to show local communities what it’s really like to work in manufacturing. It’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce young talent to industry: showing them what careers are available to them, and how to get there.
For small and medium-sized businesses, it’s an opportunity to build your talent pipeline. Many young people considering their education and career pathways will be looking to find out what hands-on manufacturing work is really is about. Among them will be Engineering and Manufacturing T Level students.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are a two-year qualification for 16–19-year-olds, combining classroom learning with a 45-day industry placement. Students gain practical experience in real workplaces, while putting their technical knowledge and expertise into action.
These qualifications were designed with employers, so you know the students have the technical skills you need for your business. For small to medium sized firms, this means access to motivated young people who are learning the latest skills in manufacturing, while adding value to your day-to-day operations.
Hosting a T Level student gives you the chance to see their skills in practice over an extended period – helping you build a clearer picture of how they’d fit into your team than an interview alone. In fact, one in three T Level students who go into work are hired by the employer who hosted their placement (source: Department for Education).
Technical & Training Manager Gavin Chadwick at R&B Switchgear Group, a manufacturing firm delivering power engineering solutions across the marine, oil & gas, transport, healthcare, and energy sectors, explains: “With a high proportion of our skilled workforce nearing retirement and a limited external talent pool in such a specialist field, it became clear that we needed a strategy to develop our own talent from within.”
R&B Switchgear Group has now offered five T Level students the chance to come back as apprentices, and every one of them has accepted the opportunity.
“The T Level students have been a breath of fresh air,” says Gavin. “They’re keen, enthusiastic and bright. It’s really boosted the business, and the people within the existing team as well.”
Why T Levels matter for manufacturing businesses
Finding and recruiting the right people is essential to futureproofing your workforce.
By hosting a T Level industry placement, businesses can:
• Find and nurture young, high calibre talent keen to carve out a career in the sector
• Shape their learning to reflect the technical skills your business needs
• Strengthen links with local colleges and training providers – helping you secure talent for years to come
• Boost your businesses productivity
• Inspire young people with rewarding careers in the sector.
The time to act is now
The Department for Education (DfE) statistics show that Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels had over 3,500 total student entrants in the 2024/25 academic year – and the number of young people choosing T Levels is increasing year on year. Many of these students will now be looking for placements with manufacturing businesses like yours.
By hosting a T Level industry placement, businesses can secure early access to the next generation of manufacturing talent and help plug the long-standing industry skills shortage to ensure the sector continues to thrive.
