A set of ‘emerging’ principles has been made available to institutions hoping to access funding for implementing work placements.

Whilst the large scale up of work placements won’t be required for T-Levels until 2020, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is making funding available for 20-18/19 to ensure that capacity is being built, in readiness for the roll out of technical routes.

ESFA admits that its principles - developed in consultation with employers and providers as part of a pilot exercise – may change by 2020.  For instance, the exact duration of a T-Level work placement is yet to be determined.  But for now, these are the principles that ESFA expects institutions to adopt, with a strong emphasis on pre-defined learning aims and outcomes.  Principles include:

• The placement must be on average 50 working days in duration covering a minimum of 315 hours and within the academic timetable where possible
• It must be occupationally specific and focussed on developing practical and technical skills
• The provider must agree a structured work plan with the employer and meet with the student and employer formally at least twice to review progress
• The student must be considered work-ready to undertake a placement
• The placement must take place with an external employer
• Students with SEND must be able to access high quality external work placements
• GCSE maths/English must not be compromised.