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 Levelstwo-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 growingaround 60% to 70% of students,
parents, and employers remain unfamiliar with themT 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 interestinglet'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 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
Levelsand Amazing
Apprenticeships
