How can businesses connect with the future workforce?

One key way for businesses to grow, bring in fresh ideas, keep up to date with the latest training and invest in future talent is through hiring an apprentice, taking on a T-Level student or welcoming a work placement into the organisation.  

However, before you commit to working with a student, it’s important to know the differences between these pathways for learners and what the benefits are to your business. 

What are Apprentices, T-Level Placements and Work Placements? 
 

Apprenticeships 

Apprenticeships provide students with a combination of hands-on experience at a workplace and classroom learning. Apprentices can be school leavers, career changers or even current employees looking to upskill. They work for you whilst training with a college or training provider. Apprenticeships are available for learners from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) right through to Level 7 (Masters Degree) and employees can progress through these whilst working, helping upskill and retain your workforce whilst adding valuable insight. 

T-Levels and Extended Placements 

T (‘Technical’)-Levels are two-year qualifications for 16–19-year-olds that provide a combination of classroom learning, hands on learning and real-world experience, preparing learners for work within a sector or area of industry. They are the technical equivalent to three A Levels (the A standing for ‘academic’) and require the learner to spend a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) within business to gain relevant industry experience that aligns with their studies. 

Work Placements 

A Work Placement involves giving a student or jobseeker valuable hands-on experience within your organisation. These placements can last from a few days to several months and do not need to be completed as part of a course of study. 

What are the benefits to your business? 
 

• Boosting Business Growth 

Bringing a learner into your business can help your business grow through fresh ideas and innovation. Learners can offer a new perspective to your organisation and different ways of approaching tasks.   

During a recent LSIP (Local Skills Improvement Plan) focus group, a local construction employer shared that they “use apprenticeships as a way to prepare for the future" as "they bring new knowledge" and help with succession planning. 

As well as new perspectives, learners may also bring new skills, knowledge and technological capabilities to your organisation. Expanding your skillset can help you prepare for the future needs of the business 

Finally, business growth can be boosted through increased productivity.  Increasing and diversifying your workforce allows you to take on work that you may not have been able to before. These are cost effective ways to engage with a future workforce and support talent pipelines.

You can also tailor developed skills to your business to fit specific business needs. 

• Cost-Effective Talent Development 

Working with students can help lower your recruitment costs. For example, establishing relationships with colleges early by taking on a work placement/T-Level student will allow you to develop a strong talent pipeline. Progressing a student from a T-Level to an apprenticeship allows you to get early access to the upcoming workforce before other businesses and invest in the next generation before your competitors. 

When you hire a learner there are various Government funding and grants that can help alleviate the costs of training expenses. The Government have a variety of incentives that can assist with costs - for example, the Western Training Provider Network provides some training cost expenses.  

• Enhance Brand and Community Engagement 

Taking on learners in your business demonstrates positive employer branding through your commitment to skills development and social responsibility.  You can also gain stronger local connections through engaging with education providers which helps you build a valuable network. 

Investing in learners also reinforces your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and can help boost your reputation.  Many employers use hiring apprentices in their own marketing and CSR targets making great case studies and social media posts.

• Long-Term Business Benefits 

Higher staff retention is another benefit of getting involved in Apprenticeships, T-Levels and Work Placements. 

Giving existing staff the chance to upskill through apprenticeships can improve staff morale, showing your workforce that you’re keen to invest in their development.  

Business West has worked with T-Level students and learners needing work placements. In the Local Skills Improvement Plan team, Hannah Ponsford, Research Manager, highlights the benefits of working with T-Level students: 

“We've worked with Weston College for the past few years to offer T-Level placements for the students. Through the Local Skills Improvement Plans, businesses in the local area have told us the skills they are looking for in their future workforce, so it's been a great opportunity for us to help young people gain first-hand experience, supporting them to develop these skills and behaviours, as well as bringing fresh perspectives to the business and introducing us to future talent pipelines.” 

What are the benefits to learners? 
 

As well as many positive impacts on your business, working with learners also benefits the future workforce, in ways such as 

• Gaining hands-on experience and relevant industry experience 
• Improving job prospects with practical experience 
• Learning whilst earning with apprenticeships 
• Industry connections 
• Developing workplace skills such as teamwork and communication 
• Gaining pathways into a full-time job 
• Boosting CV and future job applications 
• Getting guidance from professionals 
   

Wondering what’s on offer?  
 

Some colleges across the West of England and North Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire and Gloucestershire have shared videos about what they offer, case studies and information about the ways in which they work with businesses through Apprenticeships, T Levels and Work Placements. You can view these below: 

• Bath College

Apprenticeships: 

T-Levels:

• Hartpury University and Hartpury College

T-Levels:

• Weston College

T-Levels:

Work Placements:

Apprenticeships:

• City of Bristol College

Apprenticeships:

• Cirencester College

T-Level Accounting:

T-Level Legal Services:

• Gloucestershire College

T-Levels - Business:

T-Levels - Adult Nursing:

• Wiltshire College & University

Industry Placements:

 

To conclude, investing in learners, whether through Apprenticeships, T-Levels or Work Placements, benefits everyone involved in the career pathway, from education providers and learners to future employers. We can all play a part in ensuring the region remains the best place to live, work, learn and thrive. 

If you’d like more information about how you could start your journey with an apprenticeship, T Level or work placement then book a 1-2-1 Skills Clinic with our Skills Advisors today.

You can find out more about the Local Skills Improvement Plans here.