DCG Impact Review 2024 - Flipbook - Page 39
THIRTY NINE | STRATEGIC PRIORITY THREE
PLACEMENT LEADS TO FULL-TIME JOB
Zuzanna Sawicka had a double reason
to celebrate as she completed
her Design, Surveying and
Planning T Level …
T Levels are broadly equivalent to three A-levels
and most of the year’s graduates went on to jobs
or higher apprenticeships – sometimes with their
placement company – or advanced to university.
Enlisting employers’ help has proved indispensable.
During 2022/23, for instance, the 昀椀rst Science T Level
students had the chance of laboratory placements
with SOCOTEC UK, specialists in testing, inspection
and certi昀椀cation.
Meanwhile, the 昀椀rst Management and
Administration T Level students gained experience
in clerical roles with University Hospitals of Derby
and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
And Alec Barnden, a Design, Surveying and Planning
T Level graduate, was among more than 100 guests
invited to a House of Lords event recognising the
impact of the new quali昀椀cations. Alec completed a
work placement at Bowmer + Kirkland and has since
secured a Trainee Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship
with the company.
It was a real honour to represent
DCG at the House of Lords. The T Level
has given me a stepping stone into
the world of work and I wouldn’t
be where I am today without it.”
Alec Barnden
T Level graduate
At DCG, T Levels incorporate just as many inspiring
enrichment activities as other study programmes.
In one example, Science T Level students took
part in a Dragons’ Den style event, researching
and pitching ideas for science-based enterprises.
The winning team’s concept, entitled Re-bicycle,
proposed that gyms could be powered by exercise
bikes.
As well as notching up a
Distinction, she landed a fulltime job with the geospatial
survey 昀椀rm where she
undertook her placement,
Greenhatch Group Ltd.
Originally from Poland, Zuzanna said: “I
particularly enjoyed the practical side of
working at Greenhatch. I learnt a lot in a real-life
environment and am currently working as a 2D
and 3D Technician.”
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP FOR ELLIOT
As part of his T Level, Elliot Poplar spent two days
a week on placement with Danaher & Walsh.
Now, after completing his studies with
a Distinction, he has been taken
on as a degree apprentice
by the Leicestershire civil
engineering business.
Elliot said: “My course was so
different to anything at school.
I’m sure I wouldn’t have this job
without the work experience I
got on my T Level.”
DESERVING OF MERIT
When Roman Morley – the only
male on the Education and Early
Years T Level – collected his
results, he had already clinched
a role at Alvaston Infants and
Nursery School. He hailed his
Merit grade as ‘the icing on
the cake’.
Roman 昀椀rst heard of T Levels at
school and sees them as an invaluable option
for young people with a clear vision of what they
want to do after GCSEs.
He said: “DCG has set me up with the knowledge
and con昀椀dence to succeed in my career.
