Digital Support Services

Digital Support Services (Digital Infrastructure) T Level: Employer Guide

T Levels are a new 2-year qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds. Each T Level is equivalent to 3 A-levels and helps young people develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace.

At the heart of each course, a 45-day industry placement gives students the opportunity to develop within the digital support services sector, and gives companies access to the brightest new talent.

Students on the Digital Support Services T Level learn how to secure computer networks from hardware and software vulnerabilities and threats from organised hacking. They will gain a sound understanding of the fundamental principles necessary for any business, such as cabling, routing switching, before progressing onto firewalls and implementing effective cyber security.

Business Benefits of a Digital Support Services Industry Placement

Industry placements give you early access to the fresh new talent entering your sector. They can help you with recruitment, improve innovation, and increase your organisation’s productivity. An industry placement will deliver a number of benefits to your business, including:

develop a future talent pipeline for your business – try out a new member of staff before offering further employment or an apprenticeship
additional staff resources for day-to-day activity and projects
build a more diverse and creative workforce
attract motivated young people into your workforce bringing imaginative and new ideas
give staff the opportunity to upskill in coaching and mentoring
provide a positive experience for a local young person

Incentive Payments

Employers can now claim £1,000 for every T Level student they host on an industry placement, as part of a new incentive scheme aimed at supporting employers impacted by the pandemic. Employers can claim for up to 20 students until July 2022.

What to expect from a placement

Before a student starts working with your business, they will have achieved their GCSE English and Maths, have started their Level 3 course, and will be ready to start straight away. Each student will have had training in how to use email, how to communicate in a professional context, and in the essential skills for any digital support business, including hardware maintenance, software installation, basic networking and cabling, and virtual desktops.

A placement must be at least 45 days, but working patterns are flexible. Employers can arrange for a student to work full-time for one or more blocks of time, or to come in for one day a week – whatever best matches your business needs.