For Lilly, choosing the T Level Business: Management & Administration course has been about gaining real insight into how businesses operate whilst learning what it really means to be part of a professional workplace.
Now in her second year, Lilly describes the course as “really good” and says she has enjoyed it throughout. A major highlight of her experience has been her industry placement with AMCOR, a global packaging company whose products can be found behind many well-known brands, including Cadbury and Doritos.
Lilly spent around a year at AMCOR, rotating through multiple departments, including Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety, and the laboratory. They commented that “Lilly was cheerful and a good speaker, with great PowerPoint skills; she will be a credit to someone’s team in the future.”
Working within such a large, international organisation gave her first-hand exposure to the pace, structure and expectations of a major business environment.
During her placement, Lilly took on meaningful responsibilities rather than simply observing. She regularly carried out PACT walks to identify potential health and safety risks, supported continuous improvement projects by collecting and analysing data, and contributed to initiatives that led to process improvements and cost savings. In the lab, she conducted testing on products such as water, chocolate and gas to ensure quality and compliance with safety standards.
One of the biggest areas of development for Lilly has been her technical and professional skillset. She explains that her Excel skills improved dramatically during her placement, going from very limited knowledge to confidently using spreadsheets across data-driven projects. Alongside this, she developed vital workplace soft skills, from professional communication to confidently interacting internally with colleagues at all levels of the business.
When Lilly first joined AMCOR, she felt genuinely welcomed. She was treated as a junior member of staff rather than “just a student”, alongside two other placement students. Lilly says that she found the entire team kind, supportive and approachable.
Balancing college and work felt manageable for Lilly. With three days a week in college and one placement day, she found the structure worked well, particularly as much of the coursework was completed during college time. This left space to stay organised and catch up when needed.
Reflecting on her personal growth, Lilly feels the course has helped her become far more confident, especially when meeting new people. Starting college meant being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, but through group work, presentations and collaborative projects, she has grown comfortable communicating and has built strong friendships along the way.
Lilly also speaks highly of the support she has received from her tutor, Liza, describing her as passionate, encouraging and generous with feedback. She values the effort put into creating engaging lessons and a positive learning environment, which she feels has had a real impact on her motivation and progress.
Looking ahead, Lilly hopes to move into full-time employment after completing the course. She is particularly interested in roles within HR, having enjoyed that aspect of her placement, or progressing more broadly into business management, potentially through an apprenticeship to continue building experience.
Find out more about Lilly’s course: HERE
Find out more about AMCOR: HERE