For Dan Marsh, supporting T Level students is about much more than providing work experience. It is about helping young people develop the skills, confidence and industry knowledge needed to succeed, while giving them genuine opportunities to contribute to live construction project.
Having worked closely with Bradford College students through Morgan Sindall‘s T Level programme, Dan has seen first-hand how structured industry placements can transform classroom learning into real-world experience.
“It’s getting together tomorrow’s builders, isn’t it?” he explained. “It’s picking out the talent that’s available and bringing them on.”
Dan sees the benefits working both ways. Students gain valuable industry exposure, while the business has the opportunity to identify and nurture future talent before they enter the workforce.
“If we put the time into providing these guys with structured learning, then we actually find that we really benefit from it as well,” he said.
Real Projects, Real Responsibility
One of the most memorable projects Dan has supported was the development of Bradford College’s Wellbeing Garden. The project gave T Level students the opportunity to take ownership of a scheme from concept through to completion, something many young people rarely experience at this stage of their education.
Funded through Morgan Sindall’s Carbon Award success and delivered in partnership with Bradford College, the project challenged students to move beyond theory and apply their learning in a real-world environment.
“This is quite a unique experience,” Dan said. “These guys did a job start to finish, and at their age wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to do that.”
Students were involved in developing design briefs, presenting ideas, working with supply chain partners and contributing to project delivery. By trusting them with genuine responsibility, they gained valuable experience seeing the full lifecycle of a construction project, while also helping create a sustainable outdoor space that will benefit the college community for years to come.
Developing Skills, Confidence and Professional Behaviours
Through the placement, one quality stood out to Dan more than anything: curiosity.
“One thing that’s always important when we get students is asking questions and not feeling daft asking questions,” he explained. “I think the asking of questions , being inquisitive , has been the best quality.”
As this year’s students became more comfortable in the workplace, he watched them develop not only their technical knowledge but also the people skills needed to thrive in the industry. Working alongside project managers, subcontractors and other stakeholders helped them build confidence and learn how to communicate in a professional environment.
“As they work through it, you can see the confidence improve,” he said. “I think there’s a real benefit.”
For Dan, those interpersonal skills are just as important as technical ability. The placement gave students the opportunity to build relationships, work collaboratively and develop the confidence to contribute their own ideas.
Creating Opportunities for the Future
T Level placements also give employers a valuable insight into potential future recruits. Rather than relying solely on interviews or CVs, Dan and his colleagues can see how students approach challenges, communicate with others and perform in a real working environment.
“We get to see how they work in a real project environment,” he said. “If they apply for a role with us in the future, we already know what qualities they have and what we can except.”
At the same time, students leave with experience that helps them stand out to future employers. Exposure to live projects, industry professionals and a Tier 1 contractor provides practical knowledge that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
Why More Employers Should Get Involved
Having seen the impact of T Levels for both students and business, Dan is a strong advocate for employer involvement.
“I would say definitely do it,” he said. “But don’t just see it as someone who’s going to come in and shadow people.”
Instead, he believes employers should invest time in creating meaningful, structured experiences that allow students to contribute, learn and develop.
“You need to put some structure in place for them,” he explained. “When the students get the most out of it, you get the most out of it.”
The success of the Wellbeing Garden project highlights the impact that strong partnerships between education and industry can have. By giving students real responsibility, encouraging collaboration and investing in their development, employers can help shape the future workforce while gaining fresh perspectives and new talent in return.
Interested in supporting T Level students? Partner with Bradford College and help develop the skills, confidence and experience needed for the workforce of tomorrow.