Choosing what to do after GCSEs can feel like a big decision. If you enjoy practical learning and are interested in a particular career, there are several different routes you can take.
One of these is a T Level.
T Levels are post-GCSE technical qualifications for students aged 16 to 19 in England. They combine classroom learning with practical industry experience, helping students develop the technical and workplace skills they need for employment, an apprenticeship or further study.
At NEIDA, we believe that giving the next generation the opportunity to experience engineering is an important part of helping to close the skills gap and develop the engineers of the future.
T Levels are two-year technical qualifications for students aged 16 to 19 in England. They are designed to prepare students for skilled employment, an apprenticeship or further study.
A T Level is equivalent in size to three A Levels, but with a strong focus on technical knowledge and practical skills.
The courses are developed with employers to make sure students gain knowledge and skills that are relevant to the workplace. This means students can learn about their chosen industry while also gaining experience that can help prepare them for their future.
T Levels combine learning in the classroom with experience in a real workplace.
80% Classroom, 20% Work
Around 80% of a T Level is spent in the learning environment, where students develop the technical knowledge and skills needed for their chosen industry.
The remaining 20% is spent on a meaningful industry placement, giving students the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice in a real workplace.
This combination allows students to understand the theory behind their chosen subject while seeing how it is applied in the workplace.
For someone interested in engineering, an industry placement could mean seeing manufacturing processes first-hand, learning about the technology used by engineers and understanding how different teams work together.
It also gives students the chance to build confidence, develop communication and teamwork skills and experience what it is like to be part of a professional team.
An industry placement gives students the opportunity to spend time with an employer and gain practical experience related to their course.
Rather than simply learning about a career in the classroom, students can experience the working environment for themselves. They can meet people working in their chosen industry, understand how a business operates and see what a typical working day can look like.
For an engineering student, this could provide an insight into areas such as manufacturing, production, quality, engineering and technology.
An industry placement can also help students understand their own strengths and interests. They may discover an area of engineering they would like to pursue or realise that another career path is better suited to them.
Either way, gaining first-hand experience can help young people make a more informed decision about their future.
Engineering is a practical and highly skilled industry. As technology continues to develop, businesses need people with the technical knowledge and practical skills to work with new equipment, processes and technologies.
However, the engineering industry continues to face a skills gap. Encouraging young people to consider engineering careers and giving them opportunities to experience the industry can help address this challenge.
T Levels provide a way for students to gain this experience while they are still in education.
For young people, experiencing engineering first-hand can help them understand what the industry is really like and the range of careers available. It can also give them the confidence to decide whether engineering is the right career for them.
A T Level can help prepare students for their next step after completing their course.
Students may choose to move into employment, continue with further education or apply for an apprenticeship. For those interested in engineering, the technical knowledge and industry experience gained during a T Level can provide a strong foundation for their future.
There are many different career opportunities within engineering and manufacturing, from production and quality to engineering, maintenance and other technical roles.
An industry placement can help students gain a better understanding of these opportunities and decide which direction they would like to take.
T Levels and apprenticeships are both routes into technical careers, but they offer different ways of learning and gaining experience.
A T Level is primarily a course of study, with students spending most of their time learning at a college or education provider before gaining practical experience with an employer through their industry placement.
An apprenticeship works in the opposite way. Apprentices are employed by a business and spend around 80% of their time working and gaining hands-on experience, with the remaining 20% spent on off-the-job training and study towards a recognised qualification.
An apprenticeship is a paid position, meaning apprentices can earn a salary while developing their skills and gaining valuable workplace experience.
Both routes can be a great way to start a career in engineering. The right option will depend on how a student prefers to learn and what they want from their next step after GCSEs.
At NEIDA, we support young people through our apprenticeship programme and by working with students undertaking T Levels, helping them gain an understanding of engineering and manufacturing in a real workplace.
Our staff are at the heart of our company, and investment in our team is an important part of our success.
Everyone at NEIDA receives in-house training to help them work to the best of their abilities and keep up to date with the latest technologies used across our facilities.
We believe that this investment should also extend to the next generation.
Alongside our apprenticeship programme, supporting T Level students gives us an opportunity to introduce young people to engineering and manufacturing and help them understand what a career in the industry could offer.
For students, gaining experience in a real workplace can help build confidence, develop practical skills and give them a clearer idea of what they can bring to the workplace.
For industry, supporting the next generation is an important part of addressing the skills gap and building a skilled workforce for the future.
At NEIDA, we believe that giving young people the opportunity to experience engineering first-hand is an important step towards achieving this.
Our staff are at the heart of our company, and investment in our team is an important part of our success.
Everyone at NEIDA receives in-house training to help them work to the best of their abilities and keep up to date with the latest technologies used across our facilities.
We believe that this investment should also extend to the next generation.
Alongside our apprenticeship programme, supporting T Level students gives us an opportunity to introduce young people to engineering and manufacturing and help them understand what a career in the industry could offer.
For students, gaining experience in a real workplace can help build confidence, develop practical skills and give them a clearer idea of what they can bring to the workplace.
For industry, supporting the next generation is an important part of addressing the skills gap and building a skilled workforce for the future.
At NEIDA, we believe that giving young people the opportunity to experience engineering first-hand is an important step towards achieving this.
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T Levels combine technical education with real workplace experience, giving 16 to 19 year olds the opportunity to develop practical skills and explore potential careers. Find out how T Levels work, what an industry placement involves and how they can help prepare the next generation for careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Kory has progressed from a Level 3 T Level in Engineering and industry placement at NEIDA to a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship. His placement introduced him to Quality, where he developed practical skills in measurement, inspection equipment and engineering drawings. Now part of the Quality team, Kory is building his technical knowledge, experience and confidence as he develops his engineering career.
NEIDA is exploring 3D printing as a complementary manufacturing technology, developing bespoke solutions for production and engineering requirements while supporting the development of new technical skills.
Tom Farmiloe has successfully completed his Quality Pathway Apprenticeship at NEIDA, building on his prior engineering education. The program blended practical experience with off-the-job training, enhancing his technical skills and confidence through learning modern quality control methods and developing professional relationships.
Congratulations to Amelia Reeves on completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at NEIDA. Amelia’s passion for learning and dedication to her role has helped her develop essential skills that have set her up for continued success within the company.
Congratulations to recently graduated Apprentice Declan Davies on securing full-time CNC Escomatic position at NEIDA.
From 5th – 11th February businesses across the UK come together for National Apprentice Week 2024.
After completing an A-level in Engineering, Amelia Reeves has enrolled on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration at NEIDA.
Congratulations to recently graduated Machining Apprentices Ethan Rotherham and Adam Thompson on securing full-time CNC sliding head setter positions at NEIDA.
Due to continuous growth, NEIDA has two additional CNC sliding head machines on order.
After completing work experience in the Quality department at NEIDA, Tom Farmiloe, has enrolled on an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with a technical support technician pathway.
Congratulations to recently graduated Business Administration Apprentice, Phoebe Bentley, in securing a full-time position within our busy commercial department at NEIDA.
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