Business West welcomes T Levels student

Author
Aneta Mikesova
Marketing Executive
24th November 2023

Business West has recently welcomed a Weston College T Levels student to the team, who will be working with the Local Skills Improvement Plans team and Net Zero team, alongside pursuing their college course. This opportunity will enable them to acquire valuable new skills and gain practical experience in a dynamic and busy work environment.

T Levels are a two-year technical qualification for 16-19 year olds that combine 80% of classroom learning with 20% of a meaningful industry placement, where they “put these skills into action”. These have been designed in collaboration with employers to meet industry needs and effectively prepare students with vocational skills for future employment, further training, or higher study.

We asked them a few questions about why they chose T Levels and their experience working with us so far.

Why did you choose to pursue a T Levels qualification rather than alternative further study or placement routes? 
 

I decided to pick T Levels because they allow me to concentrate on the subject, I'm interested in. This gives me time to focus on my future goals without having to choose subjects that don't interest me. I also believe T Levels offer an excellent opportunity for early career growth. 

What do you think are the benefits of choosing a T Levels qualification?
 

I’m already running my own business, and I think T Levels allow me to build skills that will benefit me in growing and managing my business. I'm aware that completing my T Levels will significantly improve my chances of securing placements in the areas I'm interested in pursuing in future.

What made you decide on Business West as your T Levels industry placement? 

I found Business West to be an ideal fit because I sought exposure to mid-sized company management. Understanding the various management styles and observing the communication dynamics within Business West were specific goals I aimed to achieve through my T Levels experience. I believe these insights will significantly benefit my own business in the future.

What are your first impressions of Business West?  

I'm pleased with the experience I'm gaining, especially being part of two teams simultaneously. This allows me to gain more diverse experience and meet more people. 

What do you expect to gain from your T Level industry placement experience at Business West?  

As I’m starting my own business, I want to learn the key skills that I’ll need in my future career. My focus is on understanding the inner workings of management and how they communicate. Being involved in two projects has provided me with opportunities to engage with many different platforms and tools that will be beneficial for my future career. 

How do you find the balance of working within two different teams, LSIP and Net Zero?  

I'm finding it manageable as I always know what team I’m working with and what tasks I have. I like meeting new people and joining two teams is a great opportunity to do so. 

In the few weeks since you started at Business West, have you identified any specific skills or areas of knowledge gained from your experience that you find particularly relevant or beneficial in your daily tasks?

I'm learning to navigate Outlook and Microsoft Teams on a daily basis, ensuring I stay updated with all incoming messages and emails. I've gained confidence in working with Excel and I’m working with several marketing platforms I hadn’t heard about before. 

You can find more information about T-levels here: T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

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