1. Industry Placement Planning
Pilot Findings

2. Aim
To share some good practice from research gathered from pilot providers during 2017/2018 on T Level planning and highlighting thoughts and considerations.

3. Some Pilot Findings
Some employers were coming back after the 2 week blocks and saying they did not want the placement to continue. General reasoning for this seems to be either learner attitude or just not enough work to keep the learner engaged for 40 days.
3 out of 6 students on placements dismissed due to poor attendance.
Need for a real plan and timeline - mapped out at the start so learner isn't sitting there doing nothing
Placements need to gradually increase in responsibility/challenge, otherwise learners start to lose interest. If treated entirely as regular members of staff, then they felt they should be getting paid - this led to drop outs.
Students felt they needed to feel valued, acknowledged and involved at their placement and to see a clear purpose to their attendance - specific projects, skills and how they will link to their future aspirations/careers.

4. Flexible/Non-negotiable
Placements have to be external
Minimum 315 hours
Industry specific
10% Placements
Flexible
CDF used to support provision
Duration models

5. Staffing Structures – Top Tips
There is no one ideal model - sufficient resource is Key
Employer Engagement Team
SLT responsibility for IP (crucial)
Operation Manager for overseeing all implementation (crucial)
Ensure good communication across the board
Hold regular meetings
Create shared documents
Secure staff buy-in (crucial)
NB: The staff make the project happen. Their knowledge and understanding is key to success. They secure…
commitment from employers
encourage students, parents/guardians & employers

6. ‘Staffing Structures Responsibilities
Senior Leadership Team (SLT):
helps set the budget,
determine the strategy of industry placements
ensure all necessary staff are engaged
Team/representative(s) responsible for IP:
approach and secure buy-in from employers
engage with the students
match students with industry placements
ensure placements are appropriately aligned to the students’ interests
manage the industry placements
Curriculum teams:
involved in the planning when placements should be
when they best complement curriculum
assess student readiness for placement

7. Industry Placement Key Considerations
Top Tips:
Create a Gantt chart / timeline
Involve SLT & key staff at key points
Conduct meetings with curriculum teams before Spring Term to plan for a September or January start
Agree delivery models prior to curriculum timetabling
Gain buy-in from curriculum teams as soon as possible
Inform students during enrolment period IP is key feature
Remind students again during induction week in September
Present positive opportunities of industry placement
Conduct information sessions with students to ensure they are aware of the requirements for IP

8. Integrating into the Curriculum Plan
Timescales
Planning IP into the curriculum early is key to success
Align the curriculum and placement to ensure they complement each other
If no alignment between the placement and student learning it is possible for curriculum leaders to take less interest in the placement and for it to not be prioritised

9. Duration Models – 315 Hours
One block Including:
Spring block (all students in a course going out in Spring term)
Summer block (all students in a course going out in Summer term)
Spring or Summer (some students on a course going out in Spring, and some in Summer)
Multiple Blocks Including:
Short block + long block
Multiple shorter blocks throughout the year
1 day release Including:
Autumn start, 1 day a week
2/3 days release Including:
Autumn start, 2 days a week
Block first, then day release Including:
Short block + 2 days a week
Short block + 1 day a week
Day release first, then block(s) Including:
Day release then short Spring or Summer block
Day release plus short blocks throughout the year

10. Communication Strategies
Communications Plan
Students/Parents/Guardians
Be clear from the outset what is expected
Present benefits of IP in the wider context
Information events for Parents & Guardians
Plan for contingencies
Assess students wider responsibilities
Assess students aspirations & readiness
Launch events are suggested for students, employers and parents

11. Communication Strategies
Curriculum team and industry placement team
Staff
Equally an internal event and briefing pack for staff is recommended
Vital there is a good line of communication between teams - Supports good working relationship
Lack of support from curriculum staff can hinder progress.
Prioritising curriculum planning/staff inclusion will make later stages easier
Invite employers to speak with students
Marketing document for use with employers

12. Immediate Priorities Business Development Learner Engagement
Learner Preparation
Matching

13. Activity In groups agree what actions belong to which timelines.
Timeline on the left and actions to the right.
We will then compare your conclusions.

14. Group Discussion
In your groups please discuss your findings from the presentation and group activity and give responses to the specific questions on the sheet - 3 questions from (1-5) and three questions from (A-E).
Allocate one group member to scribe brief notes of your findings on the flipchart.
Feedback you findings to the wider group.

15. Group Discussion
Is the project plan similar to what you are experiencing within your organisations?
Are you really clear on what needs to happen?
What concerns do you have?
Within your organisation T Level plan what causes you to feel the most pressure?
What would need to happen in order for you to feel more comfortable with your project plan?
What strategies could you use to approach this?
What key questions does this raise for you and your organisation?
What changes do you feel need to be made within your organisation to roll-out industry placements?
What do you feel your organisational strengths and weaknesses are in terms of your T Level plan?
How have others in your group dealt with similar issues?