T Level students gain vital experience with Stepnell

A major regional construction contractor is providing vital experience for students at Rugby College.

Stepnell, which is headquartered in Rugby, is working with college group WCG to provide work placements for T Level construction students.

It further strengthens the relationship between Stepnell and WCG, with the construction business having taken on three apprentices from the college group’s Moreton Morrell College in the last two years.

T Levels are two year courses which are developed in collaboration with employers and businesses to ensure the content meets the needs of industry.

Students are required to complete 45 days of industry placements across the two years to prepare them for entering the skilled workforce after completion of the course.

Stepnell started supporting its first two T Level students last year and has now brought on board a further two learners.

The students have been given an opportunity to experience the breadth of jobs within the construction firm, working with the planning department, design team, commercial team and also out on construction sites.

Jayne Suthard, Training Manager at Stepnell, said: “We’re proud to continue to offer a range of opportunities for young people to enter the construction industry.

“We have been working with WCG through apprenticeships for a couple of years and when we heard about T Levels we knew we would be in a great position to help.

“The college have been very supportive throughout the process and we’re pleased to continue strengthening that relationship.

“It can be a big transition from college to the world of work, but T Levels help to make that transition smoother and in many ways the work placements are like an extended interview process.

“We’re giving the students as much experience as we can across a wide range of departments and we have seen the students grow in confidence week-on-week.

Louise Hugill, Industry Placement Coordinator at WCG, added: “Stepnell deliver a well-designed scheme to support their trainees, apprentices and work placement students. That groundwork has led to consistent results and is helping to develop well-rounded and employable individuals.”

To find out more about T Levels at WCG visit https://wcg.ac.uk/tlevels