Our Partnership with Runshaw College
For the last two years, we’ve been working with Runshaw College to provide a T-Level placement opportunity in engineering and manufacturing.
Our trainees, Cole and Daniel, began their placements with us from 2024–25 and 2025–26 respectively, both studying on Runshaw’s Design, Engineering and Manufacturing T-Level course.
From Design to Manufacturing: Hands-On Learning
As a joint practical and technical course, both trainees split their time across four separate two-week placements over a six-month period, gaining experience across multiple departments at Ritherdon.
This included working in our manufacturing operations and factory machinery areas, including stints on our Press Brake, Welding Booth and Trumpf Punch Machine, where both were mentored by our experienced factory team.
What T-Level Students Experience at Ritherdon
The trainees spent the other part of the placements within our technical office, developing the skills they learned at Runshaw and learning new ones by training with our technical team in more advanced computer design, understanding how to apply their design skills in conjunction with a real-life factory’s technical workflow.
Both Cole and Daniel used the training they received to prepare for their final practical exam, using Ritherdon facilities to design and create a physical product of their choice from scratch, with Cole choosing to design a BBQ, and Daniel designing and creating a Guitar Stand.
Each trainee passed their T-Level with flying colours and has moved on to the next stage of their careers. They learned so much during their time here and were a pleasure to work with.
Looking Ahead: New T-Level Placements at Ritherdon
Following the success of these engineering placements, we will be welcoming a third T-Level trainee in the coming weeks.
We remain committed to continuing our T-Level placements in manufacturing and engineering, supporting the next generation of UK engineers and manufacturers through hands-on industry experience.
Following the success we have had with Cole and Daniel, we will be taking on a third T-Level trainee who will be joining us within the coming weeks. We are committed to continuing our T-Level placements in engineering, providing an environment where the next generation of manufacturers and engineers can learn and receive support from one of the longest-standing manufacturers in the UK.
