Recommendation 13

Industry placements are a mandatory part of T Levels. Of those finishing their T Level in summer 2024, 98% had completed a placement. However, in August 2023, the Department estimated that shortages in placements could limit T Level places to 48,000.31 Nevertheless, the Department told us that its work to date gave it confidence that the forecasted 66,100 students starting T Levels in September 2029 will have a placement although it could do more to raise awareness.32 It told us that Skills England will lead work with employers and wider government and that it is speaking with mayoral strategic authorities about their role in bringing together placements in their area given their relations with employers. The Department did not give details on how it plans to use Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) to raise awareness of T Levels beyond them encouraging conversations.33 We received written evidence which suggested the need for a cross-government strategy, alongside LSIPs and employer representative bodies, to encourage more businesses to engage with colleges to offer placements.34