In The Trade - Focusing On The Next Generation: T- Level Industry Placements

Our Joint Aims

Our principal aim was to build on the education links HS Walsh has had to date and welcome students into the business for real business experience in a friendly and professional work environment, with the hope to:

• Build confidence and motivation
• Understand how a business runs in our industry
• Provide valuable work as a stepping stone to future employment and build CV content
• Help arm them with transferable skills such as interview techniques and dealing with customers
• Take a wider approach to our own recruitment
• Build better links in our local communities.
• Encourage young people into the jewellery and horological trade.

It is well documented how difficult it is for young people to get that first step on the career ladder and we felt we could help with this by offering the students the opportunity to essentially become part of the team for a period of time and gain many of the skills they would need in the working world, but also skills they could apply to their courses. It's become far wider reaching than that as they have brought a wealth of skills into the business too and the positive impact reaches both ways.

The programme supports the work of both Morley and Bromley Colleges as well as supporting local recruitment, skills retention in the industry and helping HS Walsh provide a more diverse service. It's more than just providing a placement to a student - it has so many benefits we'd encourage other businesses to try it. The cost is minimal, but the gains are considerable and we've been promoting this both within and outside of the industry - bottom line is if you can give the young people a chance, they will reward you.

Meet The Students

Elijah:

Eli has been studying a T-level in Design and Manufacturing for the last two years at Bromley College, the grand finale being his work placement in HS Walsh's Grayson Clocks department.

His responsibilities have been based in the workshop, assisting our team in repairing and servicing clocks. He has also been supporting the engineers on site while we run maintenance for clients such as TFL.  Following his recent completion of his placement, Eli said "My 5-months at HS Walsh have been a really interesting dive into how much goes into a product as seemingly straight forward as clocks. It was a fun and varied experience, with many unique aspects to the role and I am grateful to have had this business taster opportunity and apply elements of my learning to the final stages of my T-Level qualification.”

As Eli's' mentor, Mark found "His efforts have been instrumental in advancing the planning and preparatory work for our own updated synchronized clock system in our Biggin Hill head office. With a master clock designated, installed and fully programmed, and the required wiring run throughout the premises, three out of the planned eight clocks are now installed and running perfectly to time!  It’s been a pleasure having Eli as part of the team and we wish him well in his next step in engineering."

Benjahmin:

Having just finished his 1st year on the Morley College Jewellery Maker course, Ben has proven to be a top-notch student and team member, immersing himself in the Hatton Garden branch and absorbing everything that has both come his way and that he has sought out. Indeed he has been so impressive that in addition to his one-day a week placement, he started working for us an additional day each week in May and is now working full time over the summer. Ben is even involved in our social media now and helping across branches with stock taking and picking, customer service, store layout, order processing and much more. He is a joy to have in branch and has a great rapport with the team and customers alike.

Jenny Macdonald, Senior Lecturer in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Morley College College, said back in the spring: "Ben has been talking about Walsh in college very positively and I popped into the shop a couple of weeks ago and your counter staff were telling me how well he’s doing! Thanks for organising this. It is really helping Ben, and he is noticeably more confident! Much appreciated."

Scarlett:

Part of the same Morley College Cohort as Ben, although Scarlett has been with us the least amount of time, starting last month and working throughout the summer holidays, she has quickly made her mark and impressed with her positive attitude, application to whatever task she is working on, along with her excellent knowledge of her trade. She impressed us at interview detailing how she used the architecture in their month's placement in Valencia at the start of the year to inspire her jewellery design. Her bright and welcoming nature has been complimented on by a number of customers in recent weeks.

Gina, who is mentoring both Scarlett and Ben has done brilliantly too, shining as a role model and as an encouraging first point of contact. Gina has said "What a pleasure it's been to mentor Ben and Scarlett; to note how they've both grown in personality and learning the trade skills has giving me great pleasure... I'm a people person and seeing these two shine has makes my day."

Why T-Levels Are A Great Alternative to A-Levels

We're also championing the benefits of T-Levels in our industry and the importance of businesses like ours providing these young people with work placement opportunities at a time when it is so difficult to get a job after college and make that leap into the business world. There are 21 T-Level course areas now of which each of Craft & Design Jewellery Maker and Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing are just 2 of the options available.  

The courses give a solid grounding over 2 years and a variety of directions after study including preparing for apprenticeships, starting a job or even UCAS tariff points if they wish to continue on in education to degree level. Give these young people a chance and if you dedicate some time, patience and meaningful work, coupled with the students having a genuine interest then it will blossom like our initiative has. Communication, collaboration and commitment is all you need!

A big thank you to our students, both Morley and Bromley Colleges, our mentors and last but not least the wider HS Walsh team for making this such a success this year and which we will continue into 2027.  Whatever direction Ben, Eli and Scarlett take in the future, we know that whilst with us they have gained valuable experience and have contributed a huge amount to the team and community.

I think Benjahmin sums it up well: "My time at HS Walsh has opened my eye to the exciting world of jewellery makers and their tools and uses. My co-workers here have been so warm and welcoming to me and fully supported all my learning on the job (& mistakes!) I've learnt so much in the past few months and met so many interesting people who come in to fulfil their many tool related needs."

For more information on either of these T-Level courses please visit the colleges' websites below:

Morley College - T-Level in Jewellery Making

Bromley College: T-Level in Engineering & Manufacturing