Technical education regional pioneers Derby College Group (DCG) have welcomed a Government initiative to encourage more employers to provide students with work experience as part of their study programme.
Employers are now able to claim a £1,000 cash boost for every T Level student they host on a high-quality industry placement.
The incentive fund is designed to offer support to employers impacted by the pandemic, to ensure they can continue to host placements. Employers will be able to claim for up to 20 students for the available T Level subject areas from 27 May 2021 until July 2022.
T Levels are the new ‘Gold Standard’ vocational qualifications which are the equivalent to A-Levels. Developed in partnership with employers, there is a strong focus on industry placements to better prepare young people for the world of work.
DCG was the only College in the East Midlands to offer all of the first T Level wave roll-out programmes in September 2020 and students are progressing with the Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning; Digital Production, Design and Development and Education and Childcare programmes.
DCG is also part of the second tranche roll out with further T Level study programmes starting in September 2021 for young people interested in careers in Science, Construction: Building Services; Construction: Civil Engineering; Digital Support Services and Health.
DCG vice principal Kate Martin said: “Industry placements are an integral part of a T Level and offer students the opportunity to work alongside sector professionals in their industry of choice.
“We are fortunate to have a diverse and dedicated employer network who have worked in partnership with us to co-design and co-deliver the current T Level programme offer and many more who are ready to welcome our new programme students starting in September.
“Employers have remained engaged, albeit virtually, throughout the pandemic and we are delighted that they will receive funding to enable these to fully take place in the workplace.
The funding announcement will, I hope, encourage more employers to engage with industry placements which are the ideal opportunity to ensure young people are work ready and to also identify potential candidates for apprenticeship and full time vacancies that they may have.”
