This week (19th-23rd October), Trafford & Stockport College Group joined colleges, employers and students across the country to celebrate T Levels Week.
T Levels are qualifications which last for two years and combine classroom learning with an industry placement, helping students develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed for the ever-changing job market.
Throughout the week, we celebrated the success of our students, the employers who support them and the staff who help bring T Levels to life.
Trafford & Stockport College Group Vice Principal, 16-19 Education and Skills, Helen Wood, said, “It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm from our students, staff and employer partners throughout T Level Week. T Levels are transforming how young people prepare for their future careers, combining classroom learning with valuable industry placements that help students develop the confidence, skills and experience employers are looking for.
“We’re proud to work with a fantastic network of employer partners who make these opportunities possible. As T Levels continue to gain recognition from employers and universities, it’s exciting to see the impact they’re having on our students and the opportunities they are creating for the future.”
One student already making huge moves towards his career ambitions is Abdul Hakim, who achieved a Merit in T Level Legal Services at Trafford College.
Through his industry placement at a Chambers in Manchester, Abdul gained real experience in the legal profession while developing the skills needed for a future career as a barrister.
He said, “The placement opportunities were my favourite part of the course. I want to become a barrister, so being able to complete a placement at a Chambers in Manchester was an amazing experience.”
Abdul’s story is just one example of how T Levels can help students explore career opportunities, build professional networks and take their next steps with confidence.
Alongside celebrating student achievements and employer partnerships, T Levels Week is also an opportunity to look ahead to the future of technical education and the role T Levels play in supporting skills development across the region.
We’re proud to offer our students industry placements with a wide range of employers across sectors including engineering, construction, digital, education and legal services, giving them valuable hands-on experience alongside their studies.
One of our employer partners is GMI Construction.
James Bruce, Responsible Business Partner at GMI Construction, said, “We give students a 45-day placement on site, which essentially acts as a 45-day job interview. Following their placement, they have the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship with us.
“Our collaboration with Trafford & Stockport College Group helps make sure students receive the right development and support throughout their placement. We value strong communication and take the time to understand what each student wants to gain from the experience.
By working closely together, we can make sure trainees are supported every step of the way. We’ve welcomed some great students from Trafford over the years and have gone on to employ many of them.”
This week, TSCG hosted several workshops for students, led by Protocol Group at our Stockport and Altrincham campuses.
The workshops focused on ‘Standing out in a Digital Recruitment World’ and students were tasked to work out what attributes a candidate would need to be hired for a job role and decide who they think would be fit for interview. They were also taught key buzz words for creating a CV, followed by an interactive quiz.
Dean Lloyd, Learning and Growth Development Consultant at Protocol Group, said, “These workshops aren’t about teaching students how to write a CV. Most people know the basics. Instead, we focus on helping students avoid generic AI-generated work, showcase their personality at interview and make the most of the skills they already have.
“As an employer, we’re huge advocates of T Levels and the students who come through them. They offer students real-world experience, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and understanding of what a job is really like.”
As we celebrate T Levels Week, we’re proud of everything our students have achieved and grateful to the employers who continue to support the next generation of talent.