Lloyds Banking Group expands its T-Levels programme in Yorkshire to reduce skills gap

Students will gain nine weeks of industry experience on a placement, paid for by Lloyds Banking Group, working at the group’s hubs in Halifax and Leeds.

The students have been allocated places aligned to the digital T-Level courses they are taking within key disciplines for the banking sector: software engineering, cyber security, data analytics, and finance and project management.

During their nine-week placements, students will work with Lloyds Banking Group mentors to work on projects such as building a chat bot and web design, as well as getting involved with planning team events and activities.

This is the second year of the group’s T-Level programme, which has been designed to offer another route into banking for school-leavers and meet increasing demand for digital skills within the sector.

Six students participated in the pilot scheme last year. This year, a total of 70 students across the UK will complete the nine-week placement in two four-week blocks.

Catherine Rutter, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “It’s amazing to see a full launch of our T-Levels programme in Halifax and Leeds, after such a successful pilot last year. Demand for T-Level qualifications is growing, and for good reason.

"More and more young people recognise they can pursue a skilled and exciting career with a balance of classroom and on-the-job learning, which empowers them to work sooner than other routes of education.

“We know that the next generation is talented and eager to put their passion to use, and we’re committed to unlocking the potential of these fantastic students as part of our industry-leading apprenticeship scheme.”

There are three T-Levels in Digital available: Digital Production, Design and Development; Digital Support Services; and Digital Business Services. Around 1,750 students started studying a T Level in Digital this academic year, up from around 400 in its inaugural year and 1,200 in 2021/22.

Holly Lynch, the Labour MP for Halifax, said: “I was invited to the T-Level Industry Placement Showcase with students from Calderdale College and I was very impressed with Lloyds’ commitment to playing a role in addressing the skills gaps.”