The announcement from the Department for Education (DfE) today (2 December) around changes to T Level industry placements is great news for the engineering construction industry.
The ECITB has championed the views of industry around T-levels and submitted detailed evidence on the challenges T-level placements present for employers. Namely, safety-critical sites* and the intensive training needed to access these.
The DfE has approved three major changes to T Level industry placements that directly reflect ECITB recommendations:
- All T Levels can now be delivered at route level rather than pathway level, providing more flexibility;
- Remote placements have been expanded to all T Levels (up to 20%, with digital allowed up to 50%); and, most significantly,
- ECITB’s proposal for simulated placements to be delivered on training provider sites using employer skills hubs or live training facilities has been accepted, with up to one-third of placement hours allowed in these environments.
“The Department for Education’s decision to allow supervised simulated placements on training provider sites is a breakthrough the ECITB has long championed for our sector.
“This change, particularly valuable for high-hazard industries with safety-critical sites within engineering construction, will enable T-level students to gain hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment.
“Combined with route-level placements, employers can now offer more comprehensive industry experience. These changes will help to better prepare students and give employers confidence in supporting T Level placements across our industry.”
Andrew Hockey
CEO of the ECITB
These changes will take effect from January 2025. The ECITB will continue to support and advise DfE in developing the detailed guidance and quality frameworks.
Read the full announcement from DfE
* Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) sites
