Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is setting an example to other local employers by offering placements to T-Level students this year.
T-Levels are a technical education qualification formed of a two-year course equivalent to 3 A-Levels that combines study and a work placement.
The Chamber is taking on six placements – two from Hopwood Hall College and four from The Manchester College. The students will be working across multiple departments at the Chamber from events to marketing, sales to customer service.
Lucy Mulligan, Head of Marketing at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re pleased to be leading the way and setting an example to our member network. We encourage our members to pledge their support for the scheme and take on their own T-Level students.
“Employers often tell us that young people entering the work place don’t have the right skills, so this is a perfect opportunity to be involved in the training of the future workforce.”
The Hopwood Hall students, Logan Lord and Blake Trubswasser, began their placements in January and are gaining experience of all aspects of the Chamber’s activities.
Logan Lord said: “The main reason I came to the Chamber was because I was interested in working with a variety of businesses within Greater Manchester from a wide range of different sectors. I was also intrigued by the fact the Chamber works closely on improving Greater Manchester and building the local economy even further.
“I hope to get a taste for what the world of business is like and expand my knowledge within all sectors of business. I am excited to attend more events as the first one I attended was fantastic, developing my communication and networking skills further.
“I am studying business on the business administration and project management course. It involves three days a week in class learning and 45 days placement over the two years that I'm on the course. The course itself involves a variety of topics including quality and compliance, finance, business management, the rules and regulations businesses have to comply with and much more that I can't wait to learn.”
Blake Trubswasser added: “The main reason for me choosing to come to the Chamber was mainly due to the wide range of opportunities that the Chamber has to offer. The Chamber’s vast history made me realise how established it is and due to them being around for so long they are a reliable and well-known business that has multiple networks with other businesses.
“From the Chamber I hope to leave with a new outlook on how businesses are run, managed and promoted and how by joining the Chamber businesses have the ability to evolve and develop through the Chamber and with the Chamber’s help. I would also like to be knowledgeable in all departments of the Chamber and build networks myself. The greatest possible outcome from the Chamber is possibly a job opportunity for me but even if I don’t get that, I will still be very pleased if I learn the above mentions.
“Within my T-level we cover all sectors of business for example, quality and compliance of businesses, finance within businesses and management of people in business, these core skills are stepping stones for later in life to hopefully help me achieve my dream of one day owning my own business. The T-level course offers me the opportunity to work for the Chamber and has also enlightened my vision on business further and has helped me grow confidence and teamworking skills for later in life.”
The students from The Manchester College are due to start at the Chamber in May.
Part of a Greater Manchester-wide campaign
The Chamber’s involvement is part of a Greater Manchester-wide campaign calling on employers to pledge T Level placements.
The campaign is being delivered to add value to the excellent work already being led by colleges across Greater Manchester, who are at the forefront of delivering high-quality technical education and industry placements.
The Growth Company, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and the Employer Integration Board are working closely with GM Colleges and other key partners to drive the campaign forward.
The campaign is also supported by public sector partners such as NHS Greater Manchester and the blue light services, reflecting a joined-up, city-region approach to strengthening technical education and expanding opportunities for young people.
To support employers, the campaign offers practical resources, including events, guidance, and a dedicated website – www.gmtlevels.org – designed to help businesses understand the process of offering a placement and the positive impact it can have.
It also supports the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) by strengthening technical pathways that are valued by employers – creating a genuine and equal alternative to university, and giving young people a clear line of sight to good jobs.
How to get involved
Join some of Greater Manchester’s most prestigious employers and pledge your T Level placement today: www.gmtlevels.org
Employers can also sign up for the flagship T Level webinar on Thursday 24 April at 2pm, where they’ll hear from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and a panel of employers on how T Levels work – and why offering a placement is good for business.
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