Opinion · Education & Skills · The Mark
Could T Levels solve the chronic skills shortage in manufacturing?
Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Make UK
Published 2 min read
We have often heard about the chronic skills shortage facing the manufacturing sector. But as a result of a combination of factors, from Brexit to the pandemic, the sector now faces an immediate labour shortage. ONS data shows there are currently 77,000 vacancies in the sector.
Key findings
- Davidge argues Brexit and the pandemic have turned manufacturing's long-standing skills shortage into an immediate labour shortage, with ONS data showing 77,000 vacancies in the sector.
- Davidge cites Make UK research carried out with EngineeringUK, which found only 9% of engineering and manufacturing employers currently host a T Level placement, with just 12% planning to do so within a year.
- Davidge argues T Levels' value for manufacturers lies not in speed but in building a pipeline of technical talent over time, through industry placements that combine classroom learning with in-work experience.
- Davidge says employers need clarity that T Levels can lead into a high-quality apprenticeship, so the two routes are seen to complement rather than compete with each other.
With policymakers contending with complex issues around economic inactivity and reluctant to use immigration as a way to address people and skills shortages, one of the solutions that government and industry are turning to are the new T Levels.
Why are T Levels the answer?
The appeal of vocational and technical education for the manufacturing sector does not come from the ability to ‘train quickly’, rather the need to bring through a pipeline of talent, with the right combination of technical skills and in-work experience, over time. Industry placements offer the first steps into the workplace for a young person with an interest in the sector who can develop and refine their technical skills, as well as in some cases providing an extra pair of hands for particular tasks to help ease immediate workforce pressures.
Why has take-up been so slow?
Yet despite the clear advantages, take up of T Levels has been slow - in particular, the number of employers offering an industry placement for students. In fact, Make UK research in partnership with EngineeringUK found that currently, only one in ten (nine per cent) of engineering and manufacturing employers are hosting a T level placement, and just 12 per cent plan to in the coming year.
We stand little chance of reducing the labour shortage unless we can encourage more manufacturers to take on a T Level student and offer an industry placement.
Yet despite the clear advantages, take up of T Levels has been slow - in particular, the number of employers offering an industry placement for students
What needs to happen next?
Employer awareness and understanding of the new qualification is key, and Make UK is proud to be working together with other sector bodies to ensure that businesses are able to access the information and support they need to provide industry placements and make T Levels a success.
At this early stage of the sector’s journey in incorporating T Levels into their skills and workforce planning, consistent and clear messaging for employers is critical.
Clarity over progression onwards from T Levels is also vital for employer buy-in. For manufacturers to develop that pipeline of new talent, giving learners the opportunity to move from a T Level onto a high-quality apprenticeship where they can continue their learning with greater exposure to the workplace is highly attractive.
There is more to do to demonstrate that this route is possible, and that T Levels can complement, rather than detract from, existing apprenticeship programmes at the same level.
The pipeline to engineering and manufacturing careers is lacking, in more than just numbers. So we need to make these pathways as accessible as possible to young people of all backgrounds, to ensure that we are meeting the future skills needs of UK businesses.
If we are serious about kickstarting economic growth, it begins with connecting people with these very opportunities.
