Karen Vigar, education engagement manager at ISG looks at the value of T Levels from an employer’s perspective
Engineering and construction are valuable industries in the UK, with data showing engineering alone brings in over £600bn in revenue each year to the nation’s economy. However, both have had to tackle various challenges over the years – in particular a chronic skills shortage; caused by various factors such as an aging workforce and a lack of applicants to roles within these industries.
To proactively find a way to engage and nurture new talent within the workplace, ISG - a global construction specialist – has become an employer host for T Level students. These qualifications were introduced in 2020 with one T Level being roughly equivalent to three A Levels. We’ve found, along the way, that not only do T Levels help to enrich the minds and CVs of young people, but also hone the skills of the talent we need, while inspiring the next generation of learners to enter the sector.
Industry skills shortage
The engineering industry has been facing a skills shortage crisis for many years, owing to a myriad of reasons. One of which is the aging nature of our industry’s workforce. This means as engineers retire across the country, they take with them valuable knowledge, skills and experience that employers often struggle to replace. This, coupled with the fact that engineers are not being trained and recruited at the same historical rates, has created a challenging situation for businesses in the industry. But, T Levels are helping to address this crisis. With a blend of academic and practical learning (80/20 split), they help provide early exposure to careers within the engineering industry, so students with initial curiosity about the roles within the industry get to learn more and have their questions answered by working experts.
Embracing new talent
Providing pathways into the industry is not new for ISG, we’ve been offering an Applied Diploma in Professional Construction Practice for many years, in partnership with WJEC. However, T Levels allow employers to introduce careers within engineering and construction at an earlier age. This gives students a more accurate picture of what’s on offer as they start to form their career ambitions. It also means, as they move onto the next step of their education, they’re able to do so with work experience under their belt, which can further help to inform academic and job applications.
Host organisations experience many benefits from enlisting T Level students. Firstly, it allows us to dispel any misconceptions young people may have around the industry. For example, engineering and construction roles are not predominantly manual – they encompass a large variety of specialties including planning, architecture, marketing, legal and technology roles. Our active participation in building the T Level curriculum means students gain insight into the realities of the industry, so their teaching is both holistic and realistic.
Secondly, we get to introduce students to the contemporary skill sets we need and look for in emerging talent. This comprises technical skills, alongside interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, leadership and communication.
A skills-ready future
Every employer has a part to play to ensure that its recruitment pipeline is constantly attracting talent, and T Levels play an important role in a wider people strategy. By making your business accessible to students, you’re already on track to winning the hearts and minds of young people and ensuring a pipeline of high-quality, engaged and passionate individuals that will drive your organisation forward.
Employers interested in hosting T Levels students can found out more information on DfE Skills for Life website here
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