Types of engagement

Working with employers is not limited to work experience and mentoring. Nor is it restricted to working with very large employers with many resources - all sizes of employer can work with schools and colleges.

There are many different ways that employers can work with education, The employers' ability and willingness to work on different types of education engagement with the school or college depend on whether the employer:

  • is large or small
  • wishes to work with primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, specialist schools, academies, or other types of schools
  • wants to dedicate a large or small amount of resources
  • wants to dedicate a large or small amount of time
  • aims for employees to become involved as volunteers
  • would like tangible or quantitative outcomes or not.

Teaching staff are encouraged to read through this page and look at the ways in which they can work with employers. The diagram below gives a good overview of different methods of engagement.

Some staff may already have a clear idea of how they would like to get involved, in which case they can go straight to the relevant page in this section for more information on their chosen method of engagement. Alternatively they can visit Take action if they already know about their chosen method.

 

The four main types of engagement

Broadly, there are four main types of engagement, each of which includes a number of possible engagement activities.

ways_of_working_diagram

Most activities do not require a financial contribution from employers, but time, expertise and skills instead. The exception is sponsoring a school/college or student.

 

Forming a partnership

Whatever the level or type of involvement, schools and colleges should work to ensure that they develop deep, long-lasting partnerships with employers, rather than one-off or ad-hoc arrangements.

Partnerships are relatively long-term relationships based on mutual benefit.
Effective partnerships are serious commitments that develop in different ways and take different forms, including:

  • a one-to-one relationship between an employer (or a branch office) and a local school/college, covering multiple activities
  • one-to-one relationships between an employer (and its branch offices) and a group of 'link' schools/colleges
  • more complex local partnerships with groups of schools/colleges, involving other organisations (such Education Business Partnership Organisations, local authorities, other companies and voluntary organisations)
  • national partnerships, including the running of national competitions among schools/colleges; and relationships with national brokers.

Ideally they involve:

  • clear needs and capacity assessment as well as analysis of the benefits to be achieved by the different stakeholders
  • assessment of the necessary conditions for the partnership's success, e.g. the need to address the curriculum
  • communication between school/college contacts and employer contacts, including regular reviews of how the partnership is progressing
  • a partnership agreement detailing what has been agreed.

 

Already working with employers?

This Guide is also useful for schools and colleges that have already have partnerships or have worked with employers in the past.

Many schools and colleges already work with employers to offer students work experience,  mentoring and classroom talks, but may not be aware of the other forms of engagement. Visit the different pages in this section for information on the many different ways that employers can engage with education.

Furthermore, schools and colleges may not have developed strong partnerships with employers in the past; this is something that the Teachers' Guide intends to promote. Read about Forming a partnership above.

For further evidence of why it 'makes a difference' visit Research Reports.

Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign 2010

 

In October 2010 the Taskforce led a national campaign to persuade business leaders from all sectors to visit state schools and colleges to have a practical conversation with head teachers and young people. 

Taking part was completely free to everyone and only required 1 or 2 hours in the week of 18-22 October to host a visit. Schools and Colleges could register to take part online: www.visitourschools.org

It was a chance for bosses from private and public sector organisations to hear from school leaders, teachers and pupils about they can help the motivation, skills and employability of young people.

 

Planned 2012 campaign

The Education and Employers Taskforce plans to run the Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign again in 2012.

To find out how to take part please register for our free e-newsletter Taskforce News by emailing: carol.glover@educationandemployers.org or visit our website News and Events section at http://www.educationandemployers.org/news-and-events.aspx

 

Visit our Schools and Colleges 'thank you!'

 

Thank you to all the individuals and organisations who made the first national Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign a success. We value feedback so will be conducting a full evaluation to be published in early 2011.

Visit our Schools and Colleges week started with a visit by John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning and David Cruickshank, chairman of Deloitte to Lambeth College in Vauxhall, London. Over a one month period 700 employers from all over the country, including 104 chief executives and chairmen from many of the UK's leading and FTSE 100 companies undertook visits. 

For the press release visit: http://www.educationandemployers.org/media/7886/media%20release%2018%20october%202010.pdf