Industry renowned employers support T Level Professional Development through online workshops

Renowned employers across different industries have come on board with the Education and Training Foundation’s Industry Workshops to provide T Level staff with the opportunity to hear the latest industry practice.

The Industry Workshops are part of the Industry Insights element of the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) offer, which provide attendees with the opportunity to attend bite-size online sessions led by employers covering demonstrations, Q&As and updates on the latest industry practice.

Employers such as Vodafone, The National Lottery, the Open University, and Service Design Solution, the company behind the construction of the Nightingale Hospital in Exeter, are among those involved.

Jeremy Green, Cyber Security Advisory Manager at Vodafone, said:

“Having spent a large part of my career within further education prior to moving into cyber security, I jumped at the chance to support the sector and share my passion for cyber security.

“The workshop was a great opportunity to give industry advice and help install those much lauded ‘job ready’ with the current cyber security skills gap. Giving back is an important and ethical part of modern society and something that is an important part of the ‘Vodafone Spirit’.”

Paul Bailey, Regional Head of Engagement for South East, East and London, said:

“It has been really exciting to see so many well-known employers wanting to be part of the conversation around T Levels.

“Although the pandemic has meant employers have been unable to offer physical placements, the introduction of these workshops has opened the door to new conversations. Their insights have enabled staff to really understand the type of sector knowledge their learners need; it is inspiring to see so many people attending these sessions and reaping the benefits.”

Survey results following the Industry Workshops have found more than 80% of participants feel their learning experience will have a positive impact on their professional practice, with 90% of participants saying they will be sharing their learning with colleagues.

Upcoming workshops include speakers from:

• The Met Office
• Costain, a smart infrastructure solutions company
• Skills for Care, an organisation supporting adult social care employers
• NHS England and NHS Improvement, South West.

The ETF, the expert body for professional development and standards in Further Education and Training in England, has been supporting the delivery of T Levels since 2019. In February 2020, the ETF was awarded a four-year contract by the Department for Education to continue to support providers, leaders and practitioners to deliver the new courses.