New evidence on the return on investment of Health T-level industry placements

Health and care employers increasingly recognise the value of 90-day T-level industry placements in developing the future workforce. Evidence has shown that placements support workforce development, improve staff engagement and create opportunities for young people. Alongside this, growing evidence of progression into employment, higher education and apprenticeships has strengthened the case for Health T-levels as part of a sustainable workforce pipeline. 

With health and care organisations under significant workforce and financial pressure, demonstrating the value of investment in T-level industry placements has never been more important. Understanding both the costs and benefits is essential if employers are to make informed decisions. One key question has remained: what is the financial return on investment? 

New research undertaken by Sue Howard and Associates provides the first comprehensive assessment of the return on investment (ROI) of Health T-level industry placements for employers. It shows that industry placements deliver not only social value but also measurable financial benefits for the organisations that host them. 

The analysis considered the full costs of delivering placements, including student induction, supervision and organisational overheads such as HR, IT and security.  

The research found that placements can reduce recruitment and induction costs, improve staff retention and strengthen workforce planning. Together, these benefits show that investing in T-level industry placements can support a more sustainable workforce while delivering financial value for employers. 

The headline finding is compelling: for every £1 invested in supporting Health T-level industry placements, employers receive an estimated £1.81 in return. 

To help employers apply the findings locally, the research is accompanied by two practical tools on the NHS Employers website: a placement costing tool and an ROI calculator. These enable organisations to model costs and potential returns using their own data, helping leaders develop evidence-based business cases for expanding placements. 

As the health and care sector seeks sustainable solutions to workforce shortages, this evidence shows that Health T-level industry placements are not only an investment in young people, but also a sound investment in the future workforce.