Industry Placements give students an opportunity to develop their practical and technical skills in a role directly relevant to their vocational course. They also give employers the chance to ensure that young people are developing the skills and experience that industry needs.

Industry Placements form part of the T Level qualification, augmenting classroom based learning alongside in-person industry experience. They are purposeful, substantial and at the end of the programme, students are required to complete a professional-standard portfolio for feedback and review.

Our Industry Placements are currently slated to take place across 315 hours during one academic year. We are currently planning for 45 full working days, twice per week, for the majority of our courses. If this is not suitable for you, but you still wish to support Industry Placements, please still do get in touch.

Outcomes for students

Throughout their Industry Placement, students will gain confidence, skills and abilities, allowing them to enhance their CV and trial their chosen career path. They will find themselves with improved career prospects, increased employability skills and a competitive edge when applying for jobs or further study.

Benefits for your business

• Developing existing staff’s mentoring and management skills
• Improving the recruitment pipeline for your business and industry
• Giving opportunities to young people from a wide range of backgrounds, leading to a more diverse and knowledgeable workforce
• Bringing in new and imaginative ideas
• Building partnerships with local training providers

• Employer responsibilities

  • A safe work environment
  • Opportunities for the student to develop their technical skills within your industry
  • A line manager to support, supervise and mentor the student
  • An induction which includes explaining relevant policies and procedures
  • Formal feedback on the student’s progress at the end of the placement

• Working hours

  We expect most placements will take place during the normal working day, but also recognise that in some occupations it may involve working outside normal working hours. This will be discussed with you by a member of the Industry Placement Team before the commencement of any placement.

• Payment

  Industry Placements are part of a course and there is no legal requirement or expectation that students will be paid. However, you can decide whether or not to pay the student, and how much.

• Legal requirements

  Health and Safety

  A member of the Industry Placement Team will arrange a site visit before the start of any placement to conduct a risk assessment. Employers are responsible for health and safety in the workplace.

  By law, you are responsible for providing a safe working environment, appropriate training and making sure that the student receives an adequate induction. You should consider if you need to do anything further to manage the risks for young people, such as supervising the student when using equipment. If your business is involved in agriculture, construction or manufacturing, it will be considered a ‘high-risk environment’. If your business uses heavy or dangerous machinery, you need to check the student is old enough to use it before giving them training.

  Employers' Liability Insurance

  Employer’s Liability Insurance must be in place before the placement can begin and must cover the entire duration of the placement. This will all be checked by the Industry Placement Team during the initial site visit.

  Safeguarding

  Training providers are responsible for safeguarding and the welfare of students on Industry Placements, or any work-based placement. The Industry Placement Team will check your policies and procedures to make sure your workplace is a safe environment for students during the initial site visit prior to any placement beginning.

  DBS Checks

  Employers do not generally need to carry out a basic, standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check on members of staff supervising young people aged 16 or 17. However, this will be discussed in detail with the Industry Placement Team prior to or during the initial site visit.

Stay in touch with us

For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the Northampton College Business Centre on 01604 734323.