19-23 October is T Levels Week, a national celebration of the students, employers and education providers helping to develop the skilled workforce of the future. As businesses across Cheshire and Warrington look to tackle skills shortages and plan for growth, T Level industry placements offer a practical way to connect with emerging talent.

T Levels are two-year technical qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds, equivalent to three A Levels. Developed with employers, they combine classroom learning with a minimum 45-day industry placement, giving students valuable real-world experience while helping employers build their future workforce.

Why Consider a T Level Placement?

Hosting a T Level student can help your business:

• Build a pipeline of future talent
• Bring fresh ideas and new perspectives into your organisation
• Develop mentoring and leadership skills within your existing workforce
• Strengthen relationships with local schools and colleges
• Demonstrate your commitment to supporting local skills and economic growth

Industry placements also create a valuable recruitment opportunity, with around a quarter of students who progress into employment securing jobs with their placement employer.

T Levels by the Numbers

The latest national results demonstrate the success of the programme:

• Overall T Level pass rate in 2026: 92.6%
• 71% of learners said their course prepared them for the workplace
• Almost 200 higher education providers now accept T Levels, including most Russell Group universities

Supporting Regional Growth

With demand for skills continuing to grow across sectors including digital, advanced manufacturing, construction, health and professional services, T Level placements help connect education with industry and ensure local employers can access the talent they need to thrive.

As Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:

“T Levels are showing what is possible when high-quality education is combined with meaningful industry experience, enabling more young people to gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to thrive.”

Get Involved

This T Levels Week, why not explore how an industry placement could benefit your business?

To find out more about hosting a T Level student or connecting with local providers, contact the Cheshire and Warrington LSIP team at LSIP@sccci.co.uk.