College welcomes government work experience push

Derby College Group has welcomed a government initiative, which aims to encourage more employers to provide students with work experience as part of their study programme.

Employers are now able to claim a £1,000 cash boost for every T-Level student they host on a high-quality industry placement.

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The incentive fund is designed to offer support to employers impacted by the pandemic, to ensure they can continue to host placements. Employers will be able to claim for up to 20 students for the available T-Level subject areas until July next year.

DCG was the only college in the East Midlands to offer all of the first T-Level wave roll-out programmes in September. It is also part of the second tranche roll out with further T-Level study programmes starting this September.

Vice principal Kate Martin said: “Industry placements are an integral part of a T Level and offer students the opportunity to work alongside sector professionals in their industry of choice.

“The funding announcement will, I hope, encourage more employers to engage with industry placements, which are the ideal opportunity to ensure young people are work ready and to also identify potential candidates for apprenticeship and full-time vacancies that they may have.”