T Levels offer solution to engineering skills gap

The engineering sector has experienced a 44.1% decline in applicants and by 2030, the UK may face a shortfall of up to one million engineers. T Levels were introduced to tackle this challenge – a high-quality technical qualification designed with employers to meet the skills needs of the industry.

Engineering & Manufacturing T Levels are 2-year courses for young people aged 16-19. They are one of the post-GCSE options available to young people and give students a combination of practical skills and essential theory.

T Levels were created in partnership with employers of all sizes to address specific skills gaps in the E&M industry, which means T Level students will be able to use their skills to hit the ground running.

Enrolment increase

Since their introduction, the engineering and manufacturing T levels have seen an 80% increase in enrolment from year 1 to year 2.

The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSADFD) is working with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to create a clear progression pathway for students studying a 'Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing' T Level to the Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer (FDEM) apprenticeship, through an accelerated apprenticeship.

It's hoped this will help to increase visibility to the industry to T Level students while on their industry placements and ultimately boost recruitment on to apprenticeships.

One business that has already seen the benefits of taking on T Level students is Norfolk-based Redpack Packaging Machinery, a producer of flow wrap machines. The company was approached by its local technical college two years ago to take on some T Level students – two last year and another two this year.

‘Fresh eyes’

Redpack general manager Gary Howard said one of the best things about taking on the students was that they came in with ‘fresh eyes’ and new ways of thinking, which was a refreshing change for the business.

“The students we’ve hosted have lots of enthusiasm, motivation and commitment,”​ he explained. “Because they’re studying for a technical qualification, they have the technical knowledge needed for a meaningful placement, which work experience students don’t always have.​ 

“They start being productive quite quickly, which is obviously brilliant for the business. We’ve also found it’s been beneficial for our employees' professional development; by buddying with or mentoring the T Level student, they can develop their own leadership skills.”​

Redpack has since offered jobs or apprenticeships to all of their T Level placement students.

Industry placements

Each T Level includes a 45-day industry placement. These placements give students essential on-the-job experience and help businesses find potential future employees, as well as bringing additional resource and fresh perspectives into the workplace.

Offering a T Level placement helps F&B engineering businesses find and secure new talent – the placement is like an extended interview, where businesses can test and shape the student’s skills to see if they’re a good fit. So, any costs or time incurred in the short term, may pay off in the long run by creating a new talent pipeline.

Meanwhile, Future Talent Award winner Mollie Harvey​​ talked to Food Manufacture about her career with coffee roaster Lincoln & York and what it means for her to have taken home the prize at this year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards.