ICSs encouraged to bid for funding for T levels placement coordinator

From Monday 13 March 2023, every integrated care system (ICS) in England is invited to offer a bid for provision of grant funding by the Department for Education. The grant intends to award one NHS ICS per region the funds to employ a T Level Industry Placement Co-Ordinator at Band 7 to work on T Levels and industry placements across their ICS. Funding is available to support these posts for up to 22 months; from June 2023 until March 2025.



T Levels are technical qualifications for 16–19-year-olds. They are a government priority at the heart of Technical Qualification Reform. Every T Level student needs an industry placement with an employer that last a minimum of 315 hours to complete their course. Awareness and understanding of T Levels and industry placements has grown considerably across the NHS since the launch of T Levels in 2020, specifically the Health, Healthcare Science and Science qualifications. However, engagement with employers like yourselves has shown a need for a System-led approach to T Levels, as well as support with the resource demands of setting up industry placements. This pilot project will begin to meet these needs, whilst providing a substantial evidence base for further potential support as T Levels scale up.



CEOs and Chief People Officers from each ICS will receive an Invitation to Bid from DfE through NHS Employers, including all relevant details and instructions. Bids must be returned by 17.00 on Friday 21^st April and we would also welcome communication from those who are choosing not to bid. We intend to offer a series of complimentary T Level engagement events and resources open to all ICSs, in partnership with The Gatsby Foundation, over the coming months.

If you recognise this as an exciting opportunity for the ICS your trust is a member of, please encourage a bid to be completed with sign off from your Integrated Care Board. If you or colleagues have any questions about this grant fund, please feel welcome to get in touch with lauren.hutchinson@education.co.uk.

We look forward to continuing our work together to make T Levels and industry placements a success across your organisation.