3 Reasons Why Taking on a T Level Student Is a Smart Idea for Employers

Besides the fact that they’re FREE of course!

Whether you’re the owner of a small business or the CEO of a large corporate company, there’s no denying that it’s getting increasingly difficult to find people with the skills you need. Luckily, there’s a new option available that makes it easier than ever to find candidates who can hit the ground running and the government, colleges and students alike are crossing their fingers that you’ll use it: T-Level Students…

Here are three reasons why you should take on a student under this new programme – you could end up with the best employee you’ve ever had!

Employers do not need to carry out an enhanced DBS check on members of staff supervising young people aged 16-17.

Employers do not generally need to carry out a basic, standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on members of staff when supervising young people aged 16 or 17*. There are of course situations where a student may have a need for personal or health care assistance due to a disability, requiring a DBS check.

*A student may need an enhanced DBS check before starting an industry placement in certain sectors – for example, in the health care and early years sector where the employer would need to check that the student is not barred from regulated activity relating to children or vulnerable adults.

If the industry placement student is doing work that is normal business practice and you already have up-to-date Employer’s Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance, then you do not need additional cover.

Because the student will be working for you for longer than 2 weeks, you will need to notify your insurer about the placement. The risks of taking on an industry placement student are the same as taking on any other employee, though. In short, if they work for you then they should be covered by your employer’s liability insurance.

Employers’ liability insurance covers work experience students, provided insurers are members of the Association of British Insurers

Young people who’ve been supported through work experience schemes and school and college placements have already proven themselves to be competent for certain types of work. They can prove reliable, hard-working and dedicated employees. As such, when companies already employing young people are approached by an applicant from a supported programme, they won’t need to repeat risk assessments for work experience students. This saves time and money that could be put to better use elsewhere in your business and, if you do choose to employ someone who has come via the T-Level programme, you’ll find that: –

• The young person is already known to have what it takes to work at your company or organisation;
• You don’t need extra training;
• The cost is lower than if you had no prior knowledge of their abilities.

These factors make taking on T-Level students great value for businesses.

One thing that most small businesses face is difficulty in finding new recruits and one reason for this problem is competition among larger organisations. Recruiting outside of those companies isn’t always easy, but working with local schools, colleges and charities can bring in some brilliant talent—including traineeships offered by organisations offering accredited T-Levels.