How Cosmik Carrot Became the First Employer to Offer a Remote Work Placement with University College Birmingham

Cosmik Carrot, a digital agency based in Cannock Chase, is the first employer to offer a fully remote T-Level Digital work placement in partnership with University College Birmingham (UCB).

As a digital-first business that has operated entirely online for over 17 years, Cosmik Carrot has always embraced the flexibility and efficiency of remote working. So when the opportunity arose to support a student through a virtual placement, it was a natural fit.

Director of Cosmik Carrot, Ben Bradley, explained: “As a business which has purely operated online from the start for over 17 years, working remotely is what we do best. When Bethan Havard from University College Birmingham first reached out to us about offering a possible work placement to a student, we had to decline, being a proud home-office based business.

However, when Bethan asked us if we were open to a remote work placement, we couldn’t say no. We were shocked to learn we were the first employer to offer a remote T-Level Digital work placement. Since the Covid pandemic, hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s important that the future workforce understands what remote working from home actually involves.

With so many roles now advertised as remote, it’s surprising how few employers offer students real exposure to what remote work actually involves. We hope more businesses and colleges start offering this kind of experience because remote work requires more than just sitting in front of a computer. It’s about communication, independence, time management, and digital confidence.”

The virtual placement was completed by UCB student I'Naayah Bryan, who supported the Cosmik Carrot team on a variety of digital projects, gaining hands-on experience in real-world agency work.

“As the first student of University College Birmingham to complete a remote work placement, I feel this has given me an upper hand for future job prospects. More students should be given the chance to experience remote working, even if it feels uncertain at first. Working online felt flexible, and convenient and I actually found myself more productive, sometimes finishing tasks ahead of deadlines."

Placement coordinator Bethan Havard from UCB praised the partnership and highlighted the importance of accessible, flexible opportunities for students.

"When I first connected with Cosmik Carrot at an online networking event, we initially thought a placement couldn’t work due to our locations. But the option for remote delivery changed everything. Through remote delivery, removing geographical barriers, it not only made the placement possible, but also created an opportunity for my student to gain early exposure to remote working practices, boosting her employability and confidence. It was also cost-effective for both sides, with the need for travel removed and no office overheads to cover.

Where once seemed an impossible collaboration, suddenly there became a whole world of opportunity and benefits opened up for both of us.

T-levels, a new, two-year technical qualification for 16 – 19-year-olds are equivalent to three A levels and are designed for students to gain practical and technical skills sought by industry through blending classroom learning with industry experience.

At the heart of the T-level course is a 45-day industry placement (typically unpaid), which for the T-Level digital pathway, 50% can be delivered remotely – an approach that reflects modern working practices. This flexibility allows employers to offer placements in a way that suits them best – whether fully remote, like Cosmik Carrot, hybrid, or in-person.

T-level industry placements are an excellent way for businesses to shape and develop new talent and help young people become work-ready as well as gaining an extra pair of hands for projects and day-to-day tasks. Plus, for our digital T-level students, we aren’t limited to working with only tech/ digital businesses. Any business that has digital roles can get involved!"

This pioneering placement reflects a wider shift in how students gain experience in the modern working world. As more organisations embrace hybrid and remote models, it’s essential that students are equipped with the skills to succeed in these environments—both technically and professionally.

Cosmik Carrot is proud to have led the way in offering remote placements with UCB—and encourages other businesses to follow suit, helping students gain meaningful experience in today’s digital-first world.

If you would like to find out more about T-level industry placements in collaboration with UCB, please contact Johnny Robson (UCB FE Employability Lead) on j.robson@ucb.ac.uk.

You can find more information about Cosmik Carrot HERE.