T Level Support Programme brochure

The LGA see both short and long-term benefits of supporting T Levels. T Levels can be the first step towards a career in local government, and a fantastic way to promote the opportunities available to young people.

• Raise awareness: T Levels will allow councils to access and engage young people to improve understanding of local government and what it’s like to work in the sector.
• Increase diversity in councils: Industry placements will introduce young people to careers within local government. You can access a new generation of potential employees from different backgrounds.
• Job ready skills development: T Levels allow councils to develop the skills and knowledge of local young people, helping them to establish a good foundation for future work in public services.
• Additional resource to councils: Industry placements can increase capacity within teams, whether it is for specific projects or developing services.

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At the LGA we recognise councils face increasing pressure and additional burdens to deliver local services whilst still attracting, recruiting, developing, managing, and retaining their workforce. We know capacity to engage in new initiatives and new opportunities is always a challenge.

Our support package aims to ensure councils have the capacity to engage, plan and deliver industry placements. The package aims to add efficiency to the process and ensure the placement is effective for both the council and the young person.

T Levels are qualifications for students after GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels. These two-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so the content meets the needs of industry. They offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on the job’ experience during an industry placement of around 45 days (at least 315 hours) spent with an employer.

Following the completion of their T Level, young people are well-prepared to progress into skilled employment, further training including apprenticeships, or higher education such as higher technical qualifications or undergraduate study.

T Levels are being introduced in a wide range of subjects and will become one of the main choices for students after GCSEs alongside apprenticeships and A Levels.

Further information about T Levels, including how they have been developed with employers, is available on the DfE website.

Every T Level includes an industry placement with an employer focused on developing the practical and technical skills required for the occupation. A placement will last for a minimum of 45 days and is structured for young people to develop work skills and make a meaningful contribution to your organisation.

An industry placement is required to be occupationally specific to the T Level course the student is studying. The placement can be based in the employer's premises.

More information about industry placements and detailed guidance is available on the DfE website.

T Levels equip students with the technical and workplace skills required within industry. Progression routes for T Levels include higher apprenticeships, entry level employment or higher education.

You can learn more about how T Levels industry placements can contribute to your workforce on the DfE website.

T Level industry placements harness the potential of young people and create a pipeline of talent.

During their placement young people develop knowledge and practical skills to help them thrive in their career and make a meaningful contribution to your organisation.

Benefits for councils

• A pipeline of talent to help address hard to fill vacancies across a wide range of roles - students can go onto secure apprenticeships, graduate programmes, or employment within your council. 
• An opportunity to promote councils as employers to young people in your locality. 
• Create a new avenue to increase diversity in recruitment in your organisation.
• An opportunity for existing staff to develop management and mentoring skills. 
• Progression routes can be shaped through industry placements. Successful young people on placements can go on to secure apprenticeships, graduate programmes or employment within your council. 

Further information about the benefits that industry placements offer for employers can be found on the T Levels website and on the DfE website.

Benefits for young people and your community

• Contribute to the development of the next generation of workforce – increasing opportunities for young people. 
• Increase young people’s confidence and employability to help them secure employment.
• Create a skilled workforce for your local economy. 

The first T Levels were introduced in 2020 and over 20 subjects will be available over the next few years across eleven areas. These are:

• agriculture, environments and animal care
• business and administration
• catering and hospitality
• construction
• creative and design
• digital
• education and childcare
• engineering and manufacturing
• hair and beauty
• health and science
• legal, finance and accounting.

Further information about T Level subjects, including which subjects may be useful for your organisation, and where to find your local provider is available on the DfE website.

The LGA will work with your council to offer flexible support for the planning and delivery of T Level industry placements. We will help you decide how best to use the support available. We will also ensure it is individually tailored to your council's requirements.

You will have access to the LGA’s T Level toolkit, which includes council specific information and downloadable resources.

We are already working with local authorities, with examples of support including:

• brokering meetings with local providers
• workforce analysis
• employer awareness training
• mentoring/line management training
• T Level health checks.

If you would like to explore the support available please contact us at [email protected].

The employer support fund is a one-year fund. You can only access the funding where you’re providing an industry placement for a student on a T Level programme. The placement must start between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.

Schools, local authorities and NHS trusts are eligible to claim for legitimate costs.

You can use the employer support fund to fund legitimate costs you incur when hosting a T Level industry placement. This could include:

• administrative costs, such as setting up:
  • processes and procedures
  • organisational systems
  • renting a workspace for the placement
• training costs, such as training existing staff to develop their knowledge
• tangible costs, such as:
  • equipment
  • insurance
  • security passes
  • mandatory training
  • software licensing
  • materials and supplies directly related to the industry placement
  • transport for students
  • additional training for the student

You can host as many students as you’d like to offer placements to. However, you cannot claim for legitimate costs that exceed £25,000 in total.

For more information, visit the Department for Education guidance employer support fund: guidance for employers. 

The first step for councils is to register their interest to the T Level support programme. The application requires a senior manager at the council to approve the application. 

What criteria must be met to be accepted onto the T Level support programme?

In order to be considered for the programme, you must meet the below criteria:

• a commitment to host industry placements
• a commitment to share learning and experiences of the programme with other councils
• a commitment to promote success stories.

What will happen if my council does not have a local provider offering T Levels?

You will still have access to the T Level Toolkit and the LGA will continue to monitor local providers offering T Levels. The LGA will get in contact if providers in your area plan to offer T Levels.

What will happen if my council is not accepted onto the T Level support programme?

If your council is not accepted on to the programme you will still have access to resources within the toolkit, as well as informational videos. 

How do I feedback to the LGA about the support I require?

The LGA welcomes feedback regarding the support you may need. The T Level support programme is tailored to ensure high quality industry placements are offered. We will work with you to ensure this is achieved. During the first meeting with LGA you will be given details of your first point of contact.

Will I receive funding to participate in the LGA T Level support programme?

There is no direct funding from the LGA to support councils.

How much does the LGA T Level support programme cost?

The T Level support programme is being funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. There is no direct cost to your council. However, there will be operational time required to support the programme, as well as line manager time for the student during the industry placement.

Do I need to know what type of industry placements my council will offer prior to applying for the T Level support programme?

No, this can be discussed during the first meeting with the LGA. It may be beneficial to come to the meeting with suggestions on which areas of your council may be able to offer placements. We expect more providers over the coming years to be offering T Levels and we will keep in contact regarding any updates.

Where can I find my training provider?

You can find your nearest T Level provider on the DfE website. If you cannot find a provider offering T Level close to you, please let the LGA know.

You can find stories of successful T Level industry placements in the case studies section of our website.

If you would like to access the T Level support programme please email [email protected].

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