Empowering Solutions: Direct action to combat skills shortages
by Tania Bowers, APSCo Global Public Policy Director
It's critical that the next generation of children choosing their options at age 13/14 make the right decisions for them, to provide them with opportunities for a fulfilling career, helping the skills shortage in the process.
As a DfE Intermediary Ambassador APSCo UK has forged great connections with the DfE and experts – we urge recruiters and their clients to delve into the world of T levels and apprenticeships as an alternative to standard hiring – T levels are an important part of the technical training landscape, and work experience is built in. It does require employer commitment but you’ll end up with loyal employees with fantastic knowledge of your business.
Below are details about a whole host of events over the next months to guide you in this exciting journey:
Apprenticeships
Join the next Apprenticeship Ambassador Network webinar on the theme of Managing effective partnerships with training providers.
This is taking place online on Thursday 7 March from 1pm – 2pm.
Hear insights, tips, and ideas from our Ambassador panel including BT, SSE, Marston Holdings and award-winning SME Xtrac.
The panel will be chaired by Kathryn Marshall MBE, who as well as being Vice-Chair, Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, is also responsible for apprenticeships at Lloyds Banking Group.
The panel will explore their experiences of selecting training providers, setting out SLAs, the importance of regular reviews, key tips on working together, managing multiple providers, and navigating EPA.
The role of training providers is pivotal in the success of apprenticeships. This webinar will offer employers of all sizes valuable observations on building strong and effective partnerships.
The webinar is open to all employers and intermediary bodies and you can register here.
Skills for Life and T Levels
You will probably have begun to see Skills for Life advertisements on posters, in cinemas and on TV and as part of that DfE have organised a series of webinars:
T Level webinars - South East
In these webinars, hosted by local providers you will:
- Gain Insight into T Levels: Understand what T Levels are and understand the significance of industry placements in shaping the skills of the future workforce.
- Explore Industry-Relevant Skills: Discover how T Levels are designed to equip students with practical, industry-specific skills.
- Hear from an employer: Learn firsthand another employer's experience about how they integrated T Level students into their workforce.
- Student perspective: Understand what it’s like for a student who is on a T Level course.
To register your interest to as many webinars as you want, use the links below:
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Wednesday 6 March 10am |
Chichester College Group |
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Thursday 7 March 9am |
Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge College |
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Wednesday 13 March 10am |
South Hampshire College Group |
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Thursday 14 March 10am |
Barking and Dagenham College |
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Thursday 14 March 2pm |
Stanmore College |
Experts often hear of employers, potential students, parents and others asking “What’s next?” once a T Level is achieved?
The answer is of course, progression. Progression into Higher Technical Qualifications, Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships to name but three.
Here are a handful of fantastic case studies that I hope you will share to inspire those who ask you “What’s next, after T Levels?” student progression case studies
Strategic Development Network
Learn more about this organisation here: https://www.strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk/
Building Sustainable T Level Placement Programmes – What are the issues for large employers and how can they be tackled?
Wednesday, 21st February 2024, 9:30 AM
Young people who take part in industry placements during their T Level are given a brilliant start to their working lives. Employers who provide placements benefit in return by attracting bright, interested young people into their organisation – many stay on to become the workforce of the future. Large employers play an especially important part because they can provide placement opportunities for students in multiple roles, in diverse working environments, and in many different areas of the country.
The role of the line manager and mentor – hosting T Level students in the workplace
Thursday, 14th March 2024, 2:00 PM
A T Level industry placement is an extended period of structured time that a student spends in your workplace, developing real skills and making a meaningful contribution to your organisation. Line managers/mentors are crucial in helping T Level students succeed in their placement – but what is the role of line managers/mentors throughout the placement and how can they provide effective mentoring support?
In this 1-hour webinar, we’ll give you an overview of what industry placements are, the role of line managers/mentors at each state of the placement, and the support available to help you.
Industry Placements within the engineering and manufacturing sector: how can they work in your organisation?
Wednesday, 27th March 2024, 2:00 PM
In this webinar you'll discover information and practical insights around planning and hosting industry placements for the engineering and manufacturing sector. You will come away with a heightened level of confidence in offering industry placements in your organisation. Many employers already offer industry placements. In this webinar, you’ll discover how industry placements for the engineering and manufacturing sector. You will come away with a heightened level of confidence in offering industry placements in your organisation.
T Level Employer Support Conference (North West) - In person Manchester
Thursday, 30th May 2024, 10:00 AM
Registration and networking Join us from 10am for light breakfast refreshments. T Levels are the government’s flagship technical education programme, combining in-classroom learning and a substantial industry placement. Hosting industry placements will help you grow your talent pipeline, bring in new skills and attract young people to your organisation.
During this in-person conference – hosted in Manchester – you will:
- Hear about T Levels and the business benefits of hosting industry placements.
- Hear from employers who have hosted placements about how they work in practice.
- Gain insights into how you can plan and prepare for placements.
- Come away with resources and tools to help you.
- Hear about the government support available to you.
T Level Employer Support Conference (London) - In person London
Thursday, 27th June 2024, 10:00 AM
Registration and networking Join us from 10am for light breakfast refreshments. T Levels are the government’s flagship technical education programme, combining in-classroom learning and a substantial industry placement. Hosting industry placements will help you grow your talent pipeline, bring in new skills and attract young people to your organisation.
During this in-person conference – hosted in Manchester – you will:
- Hear about T Levels and the business benefits of hosting industry placements.
- Hear from employers who have hosted placements about how they work in practice.
- Gain insights into how you can plan and prepare for placements.
- Come away with resources and tools to help you.
- Hear about the government support available to you.