T Level industry placements can now be offered with up to two employers, rather than just one, in further guidance that has emerged as part of new government support for employers.

Industry placements can be taken as a block, series of blocks, day release or a mix of these, depending on what works best for the employer, the training provider and the student. If an employer cannot offer the full 315 hours minimum (now counted in hours not the previous 45 days), part of the placement can be shared with another employer.

Students with special education needs and disabilities can now use on-site facilities, such as a college-run restaurant, for a maximum of 105 hours of the placement, while students studying at young offender institutions can complete their full placements in these on-site environments. A student’s part-time job hours can now be counted towards the required placement hours, so long as the job is occupationally relevant to their specialism, takes place off the provider’s campus and works towards learning objectives.

Other DfE guidance for employers also published includes:

• The approved framework of industry placement models.
• The funding and support available from September 2019.
• Further evaluation of the industry placements pilot, with the addition of route reports providing insights into the experiences of delivering placements within specific industries.
• A pilot scheme to understand whether financial support, such as for equipment and protective clothing, would increase employer engagement to offer placements.