Happy National T Levels Week! Running from 19 to 23 October, it’s the perfect time to celebrate how these placements are bringing fresh energy to our teams. We are excited to share the Going Forward into Employment (GFIE) team’s recent experiences.
What is T Levels Week?
T Levels Week celebrates T Levels—two-year technical qualifications co-designed with employers to equip young people for skilled careers.
It brings together schools, colleges, employers, and students to highlight the value of technical education and share success stories from across the country.
Speaking of success stories, we have some fantastic news of our own to celebrate: one of our very own GFIE Team members has just been named a Regional Winner for The Outstanding T Level Ambassador of the Year Award 2026!
We are incredibly proud of their dedication to championing technical education and supporting the next generation of talent
What are T Levels?
While awareness is still growing—around 60% to 70% of students, parents, and employers remain unfamiliar with them—T Levels are two-year technical qualifications in England for 16-to-19-year-olds after GCSEs. Equivalent to three A Levels, they blend 80% classroom study with 20% hands-on industry placement, offering a practical path alongside traditional academic or apprenticeship options.
Our story with Notre Dame College
When the email first went round asking if any Cabinet Office teams wanted to host a placement, our immediate thought was, "We don't know what that is, but it sounds interesting—let’s give it a go!". We easily connected with Notre Dame College in Leeds. Every April, their final-year Business and Management students head out for a 45-day work placement.
After a successful first year hosting one student, we expanded the scheme to welcome three students this year.
In their first week, the students were tasked with reviewing the GFIE LinkedIn page. They presented a comprehensive, research-backed strategy analysing current engagement, benchmarking against other Civil Service accounts, and outlining a structured content schedule.
We gave them full approval to implement their plan, which led to a 1,434% increase in post views within a month. Their top-performing content included a ‘T Level Takeover’ series detailing their personal placement experiences.
The students also drafted team guidance, built data dashboards, and led internal meetings. They connected with Civil Service colleagues to learn about diverse career paths and visited London to visit the Houses of Parliament alongside one of our partner charities, Beating Time.
Their manager noted: "Working with our T Level students was a real highlight this year... We learned as much from them as they did from us."
A recent report by Alan Milburn emphasised the importance of connecting schools with employers.
By offering placements across diverse regions and teams, we help ensure work experience is accessible based on drive and capability rather than personal connections.
Get Involved with T Levels
Whether you are looking to kickstart your career, support your child's future, or bring fresh talent into your team, T Levels offer an exciting path forward.
- Employers: Need extra capacity? Hosting a T Level student is a highly effective way to accomplish your team’s goals while mentoring an ambitious young person.
- Students: Ready to launch your career? Gain hands-on workplace experience and a recognised qualification.
- Parents & Carers: Discover how T Levels combine classroom learning with real-world industry placements to set your child up for success.
Find out more about how T Levels can work for you, visit GOV.UK T Levels and Amazing Apprenticeships
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