Employers give business students real-life insights

Employers were invited to join Hitchinbased T Level business students for a networking session at North Hertfordshire College.

The afternoon was designed to help candidates find the most appropriate organisation with which to complete their mandatory work placements as part of the T Level qualification.

Representatives from Fleet Source, Crane Building Services, FB Chain, LP Display, WENTA and Heales Medical visited the college’s brand-new business suite, starting the session with a brief presentation about their organisation and the type of work T Level candidates could expect to complete during their placements.

The students were split into two groups, with one group taking part in speed interviews with each employer representative, and the other completing a work-based interview task before swapping.

The T Level qualification requires at least 45 days of work experience with a real employer, meaning support from organisations is essential for student success. Collaboration with organisations not only aids students’ professional development, but helps employers feel confident they are employing the learners most suited to their company.

Paul Gibbons, Business Support Manager at Heales Innovation Group said: “Having the opportunity to meet with students has been very beneficial in understanding the calibre of student undertaking the course and who will later take up placements.

“The event, which included an opportunity for employers to present ourselves to the students, undertake short interviews and observe presentations from the students themselves certainly allowed me to gain a real understanding of the aspirations of the students and identify those who might be more suited to Heales as a business.

“Having been involved with the college for the past three years, this certainly feels like a great step up and one that our business could well benefit from.”

Business studnet Tom, added: “The networking event gave me and everyone else an insight into how businesses run and their procedure when hiring new employees.

“It helped us face challenges, overcome our fears and go outside of our comfort zones. The employers taught us the values and operations behind their businesses and gave us key information about future vacancies available to us.”

This opportunity helped T Level students prepare for their work placements and plan how this experience will help them reach their career goals.

Students were also able to practise key business skills, like networking, interviewing and communicating effectively.