T LEVEL ENGINEERING WORK PLACEMENT
Lenny is currently studying T Level Design & Development: Engineering and Manufacturing, and recently completed his T Level work placement with a local Engineering company. Here we find out more about his experiences in the work place.
| MAIN DETAILS | |
| Course: | T Level Design & Development: Engineering and Manufacturing (Sept 2023-June 2025) |
| Employer: | Winter & Smith Electronics Ltd, Higham, Kent. |
| Industry Placement: | 315 hours |
Lenny recently completed his T Level work placement with Winter & Smith Electronics. He settled in very quickly becoming an integral part of the team, working two days each week over the past year.
Winter & Smith Electronics are a local Engineering company based in Higham, Kent and are specialists in the design and manufacture of products for a multitude of applications. Their team of electronics, mechanical and software design engineers operate in a comprehensive workshop with full manufacturing facilities.
Lenny learned how to assemble circuit boards using different tools such as the soldering and iron, programming and testing the boards and the operational processes of the business. He gained employability skills by working as part of a close-knit team, dealing with customers and managing his work load independently.
Lenny’s had a very positive experience at his work placement, saying: "I developed my employability and technical skills, putting my theory into practice. The workplace was very a very positive environment, everyone was helpful and guided me through any difficulties."
James Winter, his mentor, was equally pleased, saying: "Lenny is enthusiastic and reliable, he works to a very good standard and is a credit to North Kent College."
Lenny’s successful experience highlights the significant benefit of combining learning in the classroom with experience in the workplace. It’s the equivalent of gaining 3 A Levels but with the added industry placement of 45 days, you gain relevant practical skills in your chosen vocation which helps to support employers with their recruitment and bridge the skills gap in their local area.
The employer themselves was complimentary about the T Level Industry Placement process, saying: "The College process was efficient and smooth and I would happily take on another student in the future".
Lenny hopes to progress onto a degree apprenticeship in Electrical and Electronics next year!