T Level student Will sets up CRM system for business with Harrods and Fortnum & Mason as clients

William Brook is currently working towards the completion of his 315 work placement hours with Shepcote Distributors Limited during the second year of his Computing & the Digital Environment course.

Driffield-based Shepcote are suppliers to the food trade, a sugar distributor and manufacturer of marzipan confectionary whose clients include Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.  

Here, company Customer Service Manager John-Lee Thompson (also pictured above) describes how William has been instrumental in the implementation of a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and answers a series of questions about the overall placement experience for both student and employer…

What has pleased you most about William’s contributions during his placement?

William’s contribution to the introduction of a new CRM system has been invaluable to Shepcote. He has developed standard operating procedures for each stage, ensuring that, even after his time with Shepcote has ended, his impact will continue to be felt through these procedures.

What are the main duties he has been carrying out during his placement?

William’s main duties have been data inputting, creating standard operating procedures and training existing users on the CRM system.

What do you like about the T Level model of classroom tuition mixed with 315 placement hours?

The T Level model gives the student real-life experience which they would not get from just being in a classroom environment. It also, helps the individuals’ mindset step up from a “school leaver” to “worker”. 

What would you recommend about a T Level placement to other employers considering one for their business?

Make sure you are clear about the work you have for the student and that it will impact their learning and do not underestimate how much work is involved as an employer to ensure they get enough from the placement.

What do you feel York College does particularly well as a T Level provider?

I think what the College has done well in William’s case is support him and his family with assisting in transport costs. This has enabled him to get to Driffield to fulfil the placement when he may not have been in this position without that support.

To learn more about our full T Level offering, please click here

More details about the Computing & the Digital Environment course, can be found here

If you are a business interested in offering a T Level placement to one of our students, please email placements@yorkcollege.ac.uk