INWED 2026 | Engineering Intelligence starts with people

How T Level industry placements are helping businesses build the workforce of the future

This International Women in Engineering Day, we’re celebrating the theme of Engineering Intelligence by highlighting the people bringing new ideas, technical skills and fresh perspectives into engineering and manufacturing workplaces in England.

Businesses like Quantamatic, Lyndhurst Precision Engineering and R&B Switchgear Group have been benefiting from T Level industry placements for years. They’ve given young people, particularly young women, the opportunity to step into an industry that needs their talent, ideas and energy more than ever.

Bringing fresh thinking and technical skills into the workplace

Engineering and manufacturing T Levels are a two-year technical qualification that blend classroom learning with a meaningful 45-day industry placement. Designed in collaboration with employers, they equip students with practical technical knowledge that can be applied in real workplace settings from day one.

As part of her T Level placement, Amber supported Quantamatic’s CAD design work – offering practical skills and a fresh approach to their processes.

“Amber applied the skills she’d learned at college and elevated our core drawings to a new level. She made a huge, tangible difference to the business,” says Quantamatic’s Quality & Regulatory Manager, Francis Wilkinson.

Quantamatic was so impressed with Amber’s work, they signed up another student. “Amber completely exceeded our expectations and left a legacy on the business that goes well beyond her placement.”

Developing the talent businesses need for the future

For many employers, T Level placements are becoming an important part of their talent pipeline strategy. Industry placements allow businesses to get to know potential future recruits, helping them identify individuals with the skills, attitude and potential to succeed in the organisation.

At R&B Switchgear Group, the approach has delivered long-term results, with five T Level students progressing into permanent apprenticeships.

“They’re keen, enthusiastic and bright. It’s really boosted the business, and the people within the existing team as well,” says Gavin Chadwick, Technical & Training Manager.

The company views T Levels as an important part of its workforce planning, helping to develop talent in a specialist sector facing an ageing workforce and growing demand for skilled employees.

Creating a more diverse engineering workforce

This International Women in Engineering Day, businesses are also recognising the importance of attracting talent from the widest possible pool. Across all three T Level success stories, one theme stands out: they are helping businesses encourage and nurture young female talent. Engineering remains a traditionally male-dominated sector, but T Levels can support more young women to gain valuable experience and explore careers in engineering and manufacturing.

“In a traditionally male-dominated industry, it’s great to see a pipeline of female talent coming through. This is a fantastic entry point to the business,” says Samantha Nicholson, Managing Director at Quantamatic.

At Lyndhurst Precision, two of the three students on placement were female.

“I’ve been really heartened by how many young women have been applying. We’d love to encourage more women into engineering and support them to thrive,” says Andy Wilding, Technical Manager at Lyndhurst Precision Engineering.

Why should engineering and manufacturing businesses consider hosting T Level industry placements?

 Students bring technical knowledge and skills ready to apply from day one

• Placements enable businesses to identify future recruits before committing long-term
• Because students are doing real work, industry placements boost productivity
• T Levels are great way to support the next generation of engineers and manufacturers, and help businesses create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

“If each company in the industry took on just one student, we could all benefit. It’d be a better picture all round.” Andy Wilding, Lyndhurst Precision Engineering

👉 Read more: https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb