National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Interview with Paul James, Innovation Director, Savient Limited

Why does Savient support T Levels?

Partnering with Cirencester College we have seen have T Levels provide a fantastic pathway for young talent to gain the technical skills and industry experience that businesses need. By combining classroom learning with hands-on work placements, they help bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring students are work-ready from day one. At Savient Limited, we see T Levels as a valuable way to develop future talent, particularly in digital production, design, and technology roles.

How have T Level students contributed to Savient?

Our T Level students have made a real impact, bringing fresh ideas and technical skills into our STEM outreach projects. Those students who completed the Digital Production, Design, and Development course have worked on STEM outreach projects we have delivered to school children. Their input and experience helped us to tailor the STEM workshop to be fun and engaging while teaching something valuable to STEM careers.

What success stories can you share about T Level students at Savient?

One of our proudest moments was seeing the impact of our outreach event at Ribston Hall High School last year. During the event, our T Level students shared their experiences of the Digital Production, Design, and Development course, inspiring the next generation to explore careers in tech. Their confidence, technical knowledge, and ability to communicate real-world applications of their learning were incredible to see. Since then, we’ve welcomed students into placements and even progressed some into apprenticeships, proving how valuable T Levels are in bridging education and employment. Seeing their journey from the classroom to industry success is exactly why we support T Levels!

How do T Levels help businesses like Savient fill skills gaps?

The digital and tech industry is constantly evolving, and there’s a growing demand for skilled professionals. T Levels help us develop a pipeline of talent by providing students with industry-relevant training before they even enter the workplace. This means we can nurture skilled individuals early on, reducing the skills gap and strengthening our future workforce.

What advice would you give to other businesses considering offering T Level placements?

Embrace it! T Level students bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and a strong foundation of knowledge. Providing placements is not only a great way to support young talent but also a chance to shape the next generation of professionals in your industry. The investment in their development pays off, as we’ve seen first-hand with our students progressing into successful careers with us.