A T Level industry placement has helped Wiltshire College & University Centre student Lexi develop new skills, grow in confidence and discover exciting career opportunities she hadn’t previously considered.
Lexi, who is studying a T Level in Management and Administration at the College’s Lackham campus, spent eight months on placement with CMS Group, a multidisciplinary property and construction consultancy specialising in architecture, project management and building surveying.
Over the course of her placement, Lexi gained valuable experience in a professional workplace while developing the knowledge, skills and confidence that T Levels are designed to provide. For CMS Group, the placement was an opportunity to support and nurture the next generation of talent.
Peter Blake, Managing Director of CMS Group, said: “At CMS Group, we have always believed in developing talent from entry level and recognise the value that the next generation brings to our business. We don’t just support young people entering the industry; we also learn from them through their fresh perspectives and understanding of emerging systems and technologies.
“T Level placements provide a fantastic opportunity to identify and nurture future talent, and Lexi has demonstrated exactly how successful this approach can be.”
Building confidence in the workplace
Joining the business in November 2025, Lexi quickly became part of the team, supporting project documentation, attending design meetings, preparing reports and accompanying colleagues on site visits to experience live projects first-hand.
As her placement progressed, Lexi took on increasing responsibility, even organising a team-building session for the CMS Group team. The experience allowed her to develop valuable communication, organisation and leadership skills while gaining confidence in a professional workplace.
The placement also gave Lexi a much broader understanding of the property and construction sector. Although she originally hoped to pursue a career in architecture, working alongside teams across the business introduced her to the many different career pathways available.
Looking back on her placement, Lexi said one of the biggest things she gained was an understanding of how a professional business operates day to day. She also valued the encouragement and support she received from colleagues, helping her build both confidence and practical workplace skills.
From placement to paid employment
Following the successful completion of her placement in July, CMS Group offered Lexi a paid summer role. She is continuing to develop her skills while supporting the business with enhancements to its CRM systems, including projects involving new software and AI technology.
Peter added: “We were delighted that, following the successful completion of her placement, Lexi was able to continue her journey with CMS Group as a paid summer employee. She will continue developing her skills while supporting us with enhancements to our CRM systems, including the use of new software and AI technology.”
Lexi’s experience is just one example of how T Level industry placements benefit both students and employers. Students gain valuable real-world experience, build confidence and develop the skills employers are looking for, while businesses have the opportunity to nurture future talent and bring fresh perspectives into their organisations.
Through the Big Placement Pledge, Wiltshire College & University Centre is encouraging more employers to offer T Level industry placements and help shape the workforce of tomorrow.
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