T Level Week 2026: Celebrating the Success of Lancashire’s Digital T Level Placement Agency

Lancashire’s innovative Digital T Level Placement Agency is transforming opportunities for young people, helping students develop workplace ready skills while supporting employers to access the next generation of digital talent. As we celebrate T Level Week, the latest results demonstrate the significant impact the programme is having on students, colleges and businesses across the county.

Developed to address the challenge of securing high quality industry placements within Lancashire’s growing digital sector, the agency provides students with meaningful work experience through a unique model based at Shout Connect, a co-working space and business network in Preston. The initiative has been designed to reduce barriers for employers, particularly small and micro-businesses, making it easier for them to support T Level students and engage with future talent.

Since launching, the agency has worked with more than 57 employers and has delivered real-world projects that allow students to apply their learning in a professional environment. Employers have benefited from access to fresh ideas, digital skills and a pipeline of future talent, while students have gained invaluable experience, confidence and insight into the world of work.

The programme includes a structured workplace induction week, mentoring, safeguarding support and employer-led project commissions. Students are immersed in a professional working environment throughout their placement and have the opportunity to work on live business challenges across a range of sectors.

Students report increased confidence and employability

Feedback from students has highlighted the transformative impact of the programme on both technical and employability skills.

Humayrah said:
“Throughout my placement, I developed a range of useful skills. My communication improved because I had to speak to team members, share ideas, and respond to feedback. I also became more confident in teamwork, independent work, presentation skills, professionalism, and client communication.”

Saher reflected on the confidence gained through the experience:
“Overall, this experience has strengthened both my technical abilities and my confidence, enabling me to work more independently and effectively in a professional environment.”

For Daniel, working directly with clients helped develop critical problem solving skills:
“My problem solving has also been drastically improved as working with clients and working to their standards and expectations has allowed me to learn how to think of different ways to solve issues at hand.”

Meanwhile, Idrees described how delivering a real world project boosted his confidence and sense of ownership:
“My confidence changed the most around ownership. Handing over a finished, working system that an organisation is actually going to use is a different feeling to submitting an assignment, and it’s made me trust my own judgement on technical decisions a lot more than I did going in.”

Employers praise quality of student work

Employers involved in the programme have also been enthusiastic about the value students bring to their organisations.

In a public LinkedIn post, Caroline Greer, Director of UDevelop CIC, praised the students’ contribution:
“Huge congratulations to the Digital T Level students from Runshaw College who delivered this project during their industry placement with the Shout Connect T Level Placement Agency. Their creativity, professionalism and commitment have been outstanding.”
She added:
“Their enthusiasm, professionalism and fresh ideas have helped bring our story to life online, creating a platform that truly reflects who we are and the communities we serve
The project has also encouraged employers to deepen their engagement with young people. One employer was so impressed by a student’s work that they offered paid employment on a further project, while another business, which had never previously worked with young people, was inspired to create an apprenticeship opportunity following their involvement in the programme.

Supporting Lancashire’s future workforce

The agency was established in response to a growing need within Lancashire’s digital sector, which is expected to require thousands of additional skilled workers in the coming years. By increasing access to industry placements and helping employers connect with emerging talent, the programme is supporting the future growth of the region’s digital economy.

The model has also demonstrated particular success in supporting students with additional needs, including those with autism and ADHD, helping build confidence, reduce workplace anxiety and improve progression opportunities into higher education and employment
With strong demand already secured for the coming academic year and continued support from partners, the future looks bright for Lancashire’s Digital T Level Placement Agency. As T Level Week shines a spotlight on technical education, the programme stands as an inspiring example of how employers, educators and young people can work together to build the skills and workforce of tomorrow.

To find out more about T Levels and how your business can support the next generation of digital talent by getting involved with industry placements across Lancashire, contact the team at LancsSkillsHub@Lancashireskillshub.co.uk