T Levels

We are committed to developing the next generation of construction talent. As one of the UK’s largest privately-owned construction companies, we understand that our future success relies on attracting, nurturing, and retaining the brightest young minds. We have built an award-winning T Level programme to support young people and provide the best introduction to working in construction.

A strong foundation for industry placements

Our industry placement programme was launched in 2020 with a clear mission: to provide young people with real-world experience in the construction industry and help them transition seamlessly from education to employment. As part of this initiative, we’ve worked closely with colleges across the UK to develop T Level curriculums and collaborated on T Level pilot schemes, ensuring that the training aligns with the actual demands of the industry.

By offering these placements, we’re able to provide a clear and practical entry point into the construction industry. We’re also breaking down stereotypes and showcasing the diverse range of roles available within the sector, from project management and design to sustainability and engineering. This helps us increase our talent pool and attract a more diverse range of candidates.

In November 2025 we were awarded Gatsby T Level employer of the year at the Department for Education's National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards for delivering an industry-leading T Level programme which benefits individual T Level students and our organisation.

Investing in people and the future

The success of our placement programme wouldn’t be possible without dedicated support. We’ve invested in the labour and systems required to run the programme, this includes Springpod, our virtual work experience platform, a team of regional social value and HR coordinators, who establish relationships with colleges and recruit students, and the rest of our people, who are encouraged to mentor the students.

Since its inception, our industry placement programme has provided more than 7k hours of educational engagement, established lasting relationships with more than 40 colleges and provided placements to hundreds of students. It’s been an essential part of our Early Careers and Pre-recruitment Strategy, helping us develop a pipeline of skilled professionals and address the ongoing skills shortage within the construction industry.

Student benefits

Practical experience: Students gain valuable real-world experience that allows them to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to live construction projects. This helps them build their skills and prepare for full-time employment.

Skill development: Each placement is supported by resources mapped to the T-Level curriculum, including mentor guidance matrices to help students align their learning with their career goals, helping to build confidence and resilience to give them a head start in their careers.

Support beyond the classroom: We offer one-to-one mentoring, CV workshops, and site visits, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the next stage of their careers.

Networking and career opportunities: Placements provide students with the opportunity to meet industry professionals, which can be instrumental in securing future employment.

What do our students think?

“My T-Level helped me understand different roles within the industry and decide what I would like to aspire to reach.”

“The mix between practical and classroom learning persuaded me into a T-Level. I found it easier to apply knowledge and improve my understanding in practical settings.”

“The experience has helped me build a strong professional network, which will be beneficial as I move forward in my career.”

Looking to the future, we’re committed to growing our T-Level placement programme and continuing to make a positive impact by continuing the brilliant relationships we’ve built with schools and colleges and generating more involvement from our supply chain partners, encouraging them to deliver T-Level placements to provide students with exposure to a wide range of roles within the industry.

Through continuous investment in young talent and providing them with meaningful opportunities to grow and thrive, we’re not only building a stronger workforce for our company but also helping to build the future of the construction industry.

A T Level is perfect - the way that it's set out, the way that it's taught - it gave me the freedom and all the knowledge I could ever need going into the construction industry. It also gave me confidence because I felt like I was a step ahead when I started my Degree Apprenticeship.
Alec Barnden
Quantity Surveying Apprentice + Former Derby College T Level Student
Alec Barnden