“I wish I’d discovered this role earlier in my career. With T-Levels, students get early exposure to different career paths with hands-on experience.” – James Cleverley-Kilburn, Senior Business Analyst, Hippo

For many young people, breaking into digital careers can feel out of reach. With nearly 76% of businesses reporting skills shortages in digital roles, alternative learning pathways like apprenticeships and T-level placements have become crucial bridges between education and employment.

These programmes offer young people hands-on experience while building the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in the workplace. According to the UK government, 90% of apprentices stay in employment or continue their education after completing their programme.

One example is Will Hemingway, who began with Hippo as a T-level student and since then, is set to become the herd’s first Business Analysis (BA) apprentice.

From T-Level to an apprenticeship

Will’s path to becoming a Business Analyst wasn’t a straight line. He first joined Hippo on a T-level placement as part of our partnership with UTC Leeds, where we were immediately impressed by his enthusiasm and problem-solving skills. He originally wanted to be a software engineer, but after working with our BA team, he found he loved business analysis.

Recognising his potential and eagerness to learn, we offered him a place on our Business Analyst (BA) Level 4 Apprenticeship programme. Will’s 18-month apprenticeship mixes learning in the classroom with real work experience. He’s building a portfolio to help him get his final qualification. When he finishes, he’ll get a Level 4 qualification in Business Analysis, which is like a Foundation degree, and probably a BCS BA diploma. This will set him up for a good career. We think this mix of learning and doing is the best way to train people for digital jobs. Here’s what WIll had to say about his experience:

“I learnt about Hippo through my T-Level course and they opened my eyes to a side of employment that I wasn’t taught about in college. The Hippo team welcomed me immediately into the workplace and gave me a glimpse into what my future could entail after my time at college. It’s a working environment that I’d love to be part of! I’m extremely excited to start my apprenticeship in May.”

Gaining experience with the Department for Education

Will’s T-level experience at Hippo took him straight into project work, gaining the opportunity to work in the Department for Education’s (DfE) Children and Families Digital Portfolio. The broader project engagement at Hippo encompasses a wide range of digital services being developed to improve outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families. 

A core element of our contractual agreement with the DfE is to tackle workplace economic inequality through addressing the digital skills gap, increasing educational attainment and supporting future and existing employees in achieving recognised qualifications. By creating more accessible routes into the tech sector and supporting local students to achieve T-Level qualifications, the initiative allows placement students like Will to thrive and gain hands-on experience. What’s more, the students are simultaneously able to contribute to hugely valuable public digital services like those being built by the DfE.

“As part of our commitment to social value, it’s vital that placement students aren’t just observers — they’re empowered to grow, contribute, and succeed. Will exemplified this. He brought enthusiasm and a collaborative mindset, got stuck in from day one, and quickly became a valued member of the team. His journey shows how initiatives like this can create meaningful opportunities for young people while contributing directly to the delivery of vital public services.” – Heather James, Client Partner for Hippo’s Education Portfolio

Inside Hippo’s apprenticeship programme

Elliot Seaton, who leads our apprenticeship programme, knows first-hand the value of this career path. He began his own journey as an apprentice in Digital Marketing and is a strong advocate for the opportunities apprenticeships provide, not just for young people, but also for career changers and businesses.

For apprentices, the benefits are clear. “It’s a fantastic way to start a career while earning a salary and gaining hands-on experience,” Elliot explains. “This approach removes financial barriers that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from pursuing digital careers.”

For Hippo, apprenticeships play a key role in attracting and developing talent. They allow us to broaden our recruitment approach, bringing in people with the right mindset and potential for a consultancy role, where they’ll receive structured training in best practices, ensuring they’re well-equipped for their day-to-day work.

By investing in apprenticeships, we’re not just filling roles, we’re shaping the next generation of digital professionals.

Expanding T-Level partnerships: Building the pipeline

Our commitment to developing talent begins early, with T-level placements playing a key role. James Cleverly-Kilburn is one member of the herd who strongly advocates for the recruitment efforts,

 “We’re preparing to recruit for a Business Analysis-focused T-Level placement, aiming to have it confirmed by the end of March, building on the success of last year’s placement with Will.”

This hands-on approach to talent development extends beyond just placements. Through our ongoing partnership with UTC Leeds, we continue to create opportunities for young people to gain practical skills. Recently, James and his colleague Panos took part in UTC’s interview skills workshop, coaching students through mock interviews and offering real-time feedback.

“We’ve just visited UTC again to give students a more in-depth look into our roles as BAs and to get them involved in some practical applications of our skills and techniques.  We received a great welcome from the college and students, and it was great to see them so engaged and applying BA techniques into the group exercise we facilitated,” – James Cleverley-Kilburn

These initiatives are designed to address the challenges of today’s competitive job market. With many candidates competing for the same role, practical experience has become crucial. Employers are increasingly prioritising hands-on experience when evaluating candidates, and providing young people with opportunities to gain this experience early can significantly impact their career trajectory. By offering placements and mentorship, we help young talent build essential skills and gain the confidence to stand out in a crowded job market. 

The personal connection: Why the herd is passionate about the programmes

For many of our team members, these initiatives reflect opportunities they wish they’d had earlier in their careers. James Cleverly-Kilburn is one of those who sees great value in helping young people gain exposure to potential career paths at an early stage.

James discovered Business Analysis somewhat by accident in his late twenties while working as a business SME alongside a BA. Reflecting on that experience, he says, “Although I haven’t looked back, I wish I’d discovered the role earlier in my career.”

This personal experience drives his passion for T-level placements. “With T-Levels, students get early exposure to a range of roles and career paths. Because they’re gaining hands-on experience, it gives them a fantastic springboard to launch their careers early on in life.”

What has struck James most is the clarity of purpose he sees in the students. “On my last visit to UTC, I was really impressed by how many of the students I spoke to had clear ambitions for their future. I certainly wasn’t that focused when I was their age, so I’m really eager to support that enthusiasm and give students the chance to jump-start their careers.”

Creating opportunities to learn and grow

At Hippo, we prioritise creating a supportive environment where students can develop their skills. Our goal is to strike the right balance between challenge and guidance, helping students grow both personally and professionally. With a people-first culture, we ensure every learning experience is valuable and meaningful.

Our placements give students the chance to gain hands-on experience by working on real projects with a diverse range of clients. This exposure allows them to understand how digital design and delivery operate across various sectors. Many of our clients are committed to social value, providing students with a deeper understanding of the positive impact digital work can have on different industries.

Students gain the experience they need, while we have the opportunity to spot emerging talent early. By working with students at the beginning of their careers, we can help them develop key skills while building a strong talent pipeline for the future. 

The future of digital talent development

Our focus is on creating long-term pathways for students, not just offering short-term opportunities. By connecting T-level placements with our apprenticeship programme, we provide students with a clear route from initial exposure to full-time roles, supporting their growth into digital consultancy careers.

We’re always looking to expand and improve. While we already partner with several T-level providers, we’re actively seeking new partnerships with colleges. This ensures we continue to offer valuable op

As the demand for digital skills grows, we’re committed to:

  • Expanding our educational partnerships
  • Refining our training methods
  • Offering relevant, real-world experience
  • Making tech careers more accessible to diverse talent pools

By strengthening our apprenticeship and T-level placement programmes, we’re not just addressing today’s skills gap, we’re creating lasting pathways into digital consultancy. This approach supports local communities, fosters talent, and invests in the professionals who will shape the future of the digital landscape.