For employers: Why partner with Activate Learning during T Levels Week 

Activate Learning welcomes local and national employers to join us during T Levels Week 2025 to highlight the vital role you could play in developing the next generation of skilled professionals.

What employers need to know: T Levels placements at Activate Learning 

What is an industry placement? 

  • Each T Level includes a minimum of 315 hours (approx. 45 days) of industry placement.
  • Students spend around 80% of their time in college-based theory and practical learning, and 20% in the workplace on placement.
  • Placements can take place as day release, block placements, or a mixture depending on what fits best for the employer and student.

Employer benefits of hosting a T Level student

T Levels are an opportunity to: 

  • Showcase your organisation, values, work, and culture 
  • Raise your brand in the community and in education networks 
  • Inspire young people by giving them insight into real careers 
  • Help bridge the skills gap in your sector 

By partnering with Activate Learning, your organisation can: 

  1. Access and evaluate future talent – Test and assess student capability in your own environment before making longer-term hiring decisions.
  2. Save recruitment costs – A placement acts as a hands-on “trial” period for your business, often leading to smooth transition into apprenticeships or permanent roles. 
  3. Shape industry-relevant skills – Contribute to curriculum design or placement activity to ensure students develop the competencies your sector needs. 
  4. Grow staff skills via mentorship – Supporting and supervising students can provide development opportunities for your existing team.
  5. Enhance your brand and local impact – Be featured in case studies, college marketing, local media and on Activate Learning’s platforms. 
  6. Support diversity, community and CSR goals – Contribute to social value by nurturing local talent, improving access to careers, and helping reduce skills shortages. 

What our T Level employers have to say 

Employers have also praised T Level participants for the quality of student engagement and value they bring to their businesses: 

SSE: “The level of skill and ability of all three of our T Level participants has impressed us … provide meaningful work experience to students … raise our employer brand.”

Abbie Grindey, Hewlett Packard Enterprise: “This helped us to increase awareness of our business and build a strong pipeline … The Business: Management and Administration T Level aligns well with the roles we have.”

Stefano Pratesi, SP1 IT Solutions: “We’re delighted that Augustus joined the SP1 IT Solutions Team… His enthusiasm … make him a fantastic addition.”

What T Level programmes do we offer at Activate Learning  

At Activate Learning, we offer a broad selection of T Level programmes across our colleges in a variety of exciting industries. See our offer of:   

How to become an Activate Learning T Level Industry Partner 

  • Register your interest or book a call – Let us know your capacity and specialisms. We’ll guide you through alignment, safeguarding, and logistics. 
  • Define your placement framework with us – Collaborate to design placement objectives, supervision structure, learning outcomes, schedules and health and safety.
  • Mentor and supervise students – Provide guidance, feedback, and real tasks that align with both student learning and business value. 
  • Evaluate and reflect – Review the placement outcomes, gather student feedback, and explore how to transition successful students into further employment or apprenticeships. 

Activate Learning’s employer team will support you every step of the way. 

Further T Level resources for employers

Let’s make T Levels Week not just a week of celebration, but a catalyst for lasting employer–education partnerships.