12.09.2025

In the face of a growing skills gap in engineering and manufacturing, businesses like BGB are finding a proactive solution through T Level industry placements. Employing around 110 people across multi-sites, the Grantham-based manufacturer is leading the way in nurturing young talent and building a recruitment pipeline that works – for both business and student.

T Levels: a practical route to recruitment

T Levels are a high-quality technical qualification developed in partnership with employers across the UK. Each T Level includes a 45-day industry placement, giving students aged 16-19 practical experience in a real work environment alongside classroom learning.

For BGB, a family-owned firm supplying slip rings to the global energy sector, these placements have become a vital part of their talent strategy. 

“We’ve got an ageing workforce here at BGB,” says Nathan Flower, Production Manager at BGB. “We knew we needed to do something to invest in our future team and open our doors to the next generation of manufacturers.”

An extended interview with real-world impact

T Level placements allow students to integrate into the workplace over several weeks, building knowledge, confidence, and capability. For employers, it’s a chance to see a student in action - a kind of extended interview.

“You really get to know each other over the 45 days,” Nathan explains. “By the end of it, you have a clear view of whether the student is a good fit for your business. I think that’s brilliant.”

Students aren’t limited to menial tasks; they contribute directly to live projects. “They’re not working on little projects or test pieces; they’re producing items that go out the door,” says Nathan. “Our T Level students have been working on a 150-tonne hydraulic press, operating production work. They’ve also been working on components that end up in multimillion-pound wind turbines.”

High-calibre students, industry-ready skills

T Level students are already studying technical subjects that align closely with employers’ needs. The curriculum for Engineering & Manufacturing T Levels is based on real industry standards, covering skills such as CAD modelling, interpreting drawings, fault finding, and quality control.

“The students we’ve hosted have been really switched-on,” Nathan says. “They had a good understanding of maths – a baseline requirement for our work – and they came armed with the knowledge to understand basic drawings and how to use the equipment. They’ve got that next level, so to speak.”

This readiness makes T Levels a fast-track to recruitment. “We’re aiming to get to the point where we can recruit someone after they complete a T Level work placement with us,” Nathan explains. “They’re already integrated in the business, know the products and the people. If it feels like the right fit, we don’t have to go through a recruitment process, we can just offer a position.”

Designed by employers, backed by industry

T Levels aren’t just another qualification; they’re a reformed technical route co-designed by employers to address skills shortages across the UK. With input from engineering and manufacturing businesses large and small, the qualification ensures students are taught the knowledge and behaviours needed on the job.

And with the flexibility to structure the placement around their needs – whether through day release, blocks, or shared placements with another employer – businesses of all sizes can take part.

A straightforward process with long-term benefits

One concern for employers can be the administrative burden, but BGB’s experience has been smooth. “Hosting a T Level student is a straight-forward process with surprisingly little paperwork,” Nathan says. “The college guided us through everything.”

This partnership with the local college helped BGB select the right students and ensure a valuable placement from day one. “It was important to us to offer a meaningful experience right from the beginning, and that starts with the interview.”

Looking ahead: building a talent pipeline

Following the success of their first placements, BGB has brought on more T Level students and plans to continue each year. “We’ve had such a huge success with the previous T Level industry placements that we’ve continued to do it again this year - and will for the foreseeable future.”

As the engineering and manufacturing sector continues to face a skills shortage, employers like BGB are showing how T Levels can help businesses recruit, grow, and thrive.

“The long-standing skills gap in our sector really needs addressing and T Levels can play a crucial part,” concludes Nathan. “We’re not just waiting for someone to come to us; we’re opening our doors and giving real opportunities that could then lead to employment.”

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