Our Masonite partnership showcases the power of employer-led T Levels

Our partnership with Masonite, one of Barnsley College’s most established Academy partners, is a powerful example of how T Levels can be built hand-in-hand with employers – leading to industry-ready students who have secured some of the country’s top results.

Through the Masonite Academy, we have created a programme that not only delivers outstanding results for our students, but also addresses real workforce needs in Barnsley and South Yorkshire.

The academy – the first of now almost 30 across College – originally launched in our Engineering department to build a direct pipeline of new talent for Masonite’s Barnsley manufacturing facility. But, seeing the potential of employer-led collaboration, the firm expanded into a second academy in Business, Finance and Accounting.

This culminated in Masonite working alongside the department to develop the Accounting T Level – one of the first of its kind nationally, with Barnsley College an early adopter of T Levels when they were introduced in 2020. T Levels are broadly equivalent to three A Levels, but offer 80% classroom learning and 20% work placement – or at least 45 days of real experience in the workplace.

Masonite UK Organisational Development Manager Gavin Day said: “By working with the students through co-delivery, we get to know them and identify talent before vacancies become available, and they get to know us too.

“We are able to bring industry related knowledge and experience into the classroom, allowing learners to make the connection between the theory and industry.

“It becomes clear to see who will be applying through their engagement and behaviour in the classroom. Many have approached us after co-delivery sessions with additional questions, fully engaged themselves in the learning activities we create for them, or simply expressed their gratefulness.”

The results speak for themselves. In 2024/25, the Accounting T Level cohort achieved nine merits and nine distinctions from 18 students, placing Barnsley College among the very best nationally. Across all subjects, the College’s T Level pass rate rose from 87% to 94%.

Over the past academic year alone, the Masonite Academy engaged with more than 300 learners, amassed over 30 hours of co-delivery, hosted multiple site visits, and provided over 420 hours of placement experience for three finance students, all of whom went on to secure summer contracts with the company.

Do you want to know how a T Level student could transform your business? Visit our web page and then get in touch with the Employer Engagement team here or by emailing employer@barnsley.ac.uk.