How can T Level students help my business?

"How can T Level students help my business?"

That was the question Andy Heffer-Lamond, Sales and Project Manager at HF Bond, found himself asking when he was looking for new recruits.

He hadn’t heard about T Levels before taking on a T Level student last year, but is now a proud T Level ambassador.

We caught up with Andy to find out more about his experience.

Can you tell us a bit more about HF Bond and what you were looking for when you took on your T Level student?

We’re primarily a sheet metal contractor, working in utilities, but we’ll turn our hands to pretty much any metalwork that’s required. We’re based in Clopton, a small village in Suffolk. A lot of people don’t know we’re here, but it’s a beautiful place to work.

There’s a very widely publicised skills gap in engineering and manufacturing. Trying to recruit has been difficult. So, looking at other ways to get people into the industry is vital for us.

I was originally looking to take on an apprentice, but was finding it quite difficult. T Levels were mentioned, but that was something I knew nothing about.

How did you find out more about hosting a T Level industry placement?

New Anglia Careers Hub put me onto Suffolk New College. I went down and met a load of T Level learners. That’s how we found Malaki. He sent over a cover letter and a CV, we invited him in, had an interview, and took him on.

Taking on Malaki on a T Level industry placement has turned out to be fantastic for us. We haven’t looked back and Malaki is looking to do a degree level apprenticeship next.

What kind of work has Malaki done, and how did you prepare for his arrival?

He’s learnt how to operate the laser machine, the press brake - both manual and CAD automated - and he’s learnt how to weld.

The process of taking him on was straight forward. We got a list of requirements for his course, and we were covering what they already wanted anyway, so the process was smooth.

We spoke to our insurance company, as Malaki is under 18, and we did a risk assessment. We made sure we covered any needs and there was no issue whatsoever.

What do you think the biggest benefits of T Level industry placements are?

One of the immediate short-term benefits of hosting a T Level industry student is to fill any current skills gaps in your business. And looking longer term, a pipeline of T Level learners will be brilliant for the engineering and manufacturing sectors in general.

It’s been brilliant for us to have someone young and enthusiastic about the industry come and work with us, someone who wants to come in and forge a career in engineering and manufacturing.

What would you say to other businesses thinking of taking on T Level students?

I would recommend T Level industry placements to all businesses. Speak to your local college, or your local provider and take on a T Level student. They’re going to be a great talent pipeline for you for the future. And they’re amazing.