A further education college wanted to strengthen relationships with local healthcare employers, increase engagement around T Levels and industry placements, and ensure its healthcare provision reflected the needs of the modern workforce.
The challenge was understanding what was really preventing more employers from getting involved.
Initially, the assumption was that awareness was the barrier. If more employers understood T Levels and the benefits of supporting learners, more placement opportunities would follow.
But through targeted conversations with employers, a different picture emerged.
The issue wasn’t a lack of willingness. Employers were open to supporting future talent; they simply needed confidence that placements could work within the realities of their organisation.
Rather than approaching the campaign as a simple awareness exercise, Blueberry focused on uncovering the practical barriers influencing employer engagement.
Conversations with pharmacies, GP practices, dental practices, care providers and opticians explored how organisations viewed placements, their workforce challenges and what would make partnership opportunities more achievable.
The college had invested in excellent facilities to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments. However, employers were focused on a different question: how could placements fit into the demands of their workplace?
Concerns centred around practical considerations such as supervision, learner readiness, available capacity and fitting placements around busy operational environments.
This insight changed the conversation.
Instead of needing to convince employers why placements mattered, the college could focus on addressing the specific challenges preventing them from moving forward.
The campaign generated more than just initial engagement. It created opportunities for the college to have deeper conversations with employers about their wider workforce needs.
Across the activity, 44 follow-up appointments were secured, with more than 60% of relevant decision-maker conversations progressing into further discussions.
These conversations extended beyond placements. Employers shared challenges around recruitment, skills gaps, apprenticeships, workforce development and the future talent pipeline. Rather than relying on assumptions, the college gained evidence to shape future employer engagement activity around real workplace challenges.
The activity also highlighted the importance of existing relationships. Although previously engaged organisations represented a smaller proportion of the database, they generated more than half of all appointments secured.
This demonstrated that one of the biggest opportunities wasn’t simply finding new employers. It was reconnecting with organisations that already understood the value of working with the college.
By understanding what employers needed, the college was able to keep the right conversations moving. Some led directly to placement opportunities. Others helped build relationships that could support students in the future.
The outcomes reinforced the campaign’s central finding. Healthcare employers weren’t unwilling to support future talent. They needed confidence that placements could work within the realities of their organisation.
Want to understand what’s really preventing employers from engaging with your education provision? Real progress begins with understanding employers’ practical challenges. Blueberry helps colleges build stronger employer partnerships through meaningful conversations and market insight.
Contact our team to find out how we could support your employer engagement strategy. Call: +44 (0)113 487 7013 Email: info@blueberryms.co.uk
© 2026 Angela Kunawicz & Blueberry Marketing Solutions. All rights reserved.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you meet your business growth objectives.
Blueberry Marketing Solutions Ltd
Consort House, 12 South Parade, Leeds, LS1 5QS