The power of apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a proven route into the foodservice equipment industry for new talent, and a cost-effective way for employers to develop skilled, motivated people from the ground up. To attract the next generation into the sector, it is essential that employers understand the facts and benefits of taking on an apprentice.
Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship offers a perfect grounding for companies who employ anyone operating in an installer, service engineer or service technician capacity. Apprentices learn how to:
- Transport and protect electrical and electronic products
- Install, test and hand over electrical and electronic products
- Diagnose faults and repair electrical and electronic products
A full breakdown of the course can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.
Introducing T Levels
T Levels are a qualification for students aged 16 to 19 in England who have finished their GCSEs. Each T Level is equivalent in size to three A levels and combines classroom learning with a substantial industry placement, giving young people the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace.
T Levels are an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, offering a strong technical and practical foundation that makes students an immediate asset in the workplace.
Content note: the live FEA site references the Advanced British Standard announcement made by Rishi Sunak in October 2023. This policy has since changed following the 2024 general election. FEA should confirm whether to reference current government policy on 16 to 19 qualifications or simply describe T Levels as they stand today, without referencing the Advanced British Standard. BM recommends the latter to avoid the page becoming quickly outdated.
How T Level industry placements work
Industry placements are at the heart of every T Level course. Your school or college will support you at every stage so you can focus on getting the most out of your placement student. The process involves five steps:
1. Find a school or college
Connect with a local T Level provider who can match you with a suitable student for your business.
2. Find the right student
Work with the school or college to identify a student whose learning goals align with what your business can offer.
3. Plan the placement
Agree the placement dates, activities and learning outcomes with the college. They handle all compliance, safeguarding and progress monitoring.
4. The placement itself
Host the student and provide structured, meaningful work experience. The minimum industry placement is 315 hours (approximately 45 days).
5. After the placement
Provide feedback to the college and student. Many employers find T Level placements a strong pipeline for future apprentices or employees.
Register an interest in T Levels and industry placements.
Resources for employers
The government provides a range of resources to guide employers through the apprenticeship process:
Getting started
- Employing an apprentice
- Pay and conditions for an apprentice
- Making an apprentice agreement
Useful organisations
- SEMTA – your one-stop shop for essential resources and information for delivering engineering, science and technology skills
- EAL (part of SEMTA) – a central hub for apprenticeship and training providers, with qualifications fine-tuned to meet current and future industry needs
- Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education – the full library of apprenticeship standards and T Level specifications
FAQs
This is something we know members want clearer guidance on, and it’s an area we’re working to improve. In the meantime, get in touch with us directly and we’ll point you in the right direction.
The student’s school or college supports them at every stage of the placement, so your business can focus on giving them a genuinely useful, hands-on experience rather than managing the administrative side yourself
An apprenticeship combines paid employment with structured study towards a recognised qualification, typically over one to several years. A T-Level is a two-year, college-based technical qualification that includes a substantial industry placement (usually around 45 days) as part of the course, rather than ongoing employment.