Welcome to the T Levels Employer Support Conference! This page will provide you with all the information you need for the upcoming session.
T Levels are the government’s flagship technical education programme, combining in-classroom learning and a substantial industry placement. Hosting industry placements will help employers fill skills gaps, bring young talent to their business, help them meet recruitment needs and support social mobility in your region.
This employer conference marks the third face-to-face event which has been held as part of the Department of Education’s work in supporting employers interested in hosting T Level industry placements. The primary objectives of the Employer Support Conferences are to facilitate the expansion of the network of employers interested in hosting an industry placement, and to provide employers with best practices, templates, and tools for implementing and managing a successful placement.
During the conference, 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.
Getting to the conference
The County Hotel
29 Rainsford Road
Chelmsford
CM1 2PZ
Thursday, 25 January 2024 10:00am – 15:30pm
Meet the team
Colin Bentwood
Managing Director, SDN
From 1991-2006 Colin previously held a progression of senior research, strategy, and evaluation roles in London School of Commerce (LSC) and Technology Executive Committee (TEC). Over the years, Colin has established close working relationships with national and local educational government departments, and workforce development organisations.
Andrea Kay
Policy Lead, Department for Education
Andrea is currently working as part of the T Level Delivery Team and has overarching responsibility for their employer engagement strategy, designed to make sure sufficient employers engage with the T Level programme and offer high quality industry placements. She has also worked in Apprenticeships supporting large levy paying employers to understand how to invest in their workforce development.
Karen Kelly
Session Chair, SDN Strategic Associate
Karen has over 20 years’ experience in FE, sits on a number of provider boards, works on T Levels/apprenticeships, and coordinates a regional ambassador network of 70+ employers. She’s had a leading role helping employers to plan/host industry placements (with guidance, workshops and one-to-one support) and has been at the forefront of supporting providers to plan, develop and implement T Levels.
Speakers
Louise Aitken
Skills Growth and Strategy Manager
South East LEP
Andy Sparks
LSIP Executive Director
Essex Chamber of Commerce
Jo Giles
LSIP Director
Essex Chamber of Commerce
Nabil Mugharbel
Director of Curriculum
Mid-Kent College
Dale Gregory
Assistant Director for Student Recruitment
Anglia Ruskin University
Paul Taylor PhD
Facilities Management
Titan Airways
Mark Rolfe
Head of Kent Scientific Services
Kent Scientific Services
Donna Jones
Management Consultant
Gallagher
Karen Vigar
Education Engagement Manager
ISG
Conference agenda
10:00am
Registration, networking & a light breakfast
10:30am
Welcome
With Colin Bentwood
10:40am
Keynote address
The T Level story and what’s next, with Andrea Kay, Policy Lead at the Department for Education
11:00am
T Levels and Industry Placements – regional perspectives
Perspectives from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Essex Chamber of Commerce, Anglia Ruskin University & Mid Kent College
11:45am
Coffee break
12:00pm
Table discussions
Table discussions focusing on your experiences of industry placements
12:45pm
Lunch
13:45pm
Employer panel
First-hand accounts of implementing industry placements, Employer and student panel with Q&A
14:45pm
Support with industry placements
Summary of table discussions and reflections on the day
15:15pm
Networking & closing statements from Colin Bentwood
Conference resources
We will provide you with downloadable resources after the event.
Further support
For more guidance, templates, case studies and events to help you plan and host industry placements, visit the T Level employer support website.
Please contact us if you’d like to speak to someone about T Levels or industry placements, or can’t find what you’re looking for.
Do you use social media?
Share key messages and take-aways throughout the day, using:
#TLevels #SkliisforLife #SkillsRevolution #TLevelThursday @educationgovuk @sdn_hq