Benefits for students
By working with employers, schools and colleges can improve the educational experience of children and young people in a number of different areas, as described below.
Enjoyment of learning
Young people of all ages enjoy work-related learning and opportunities to engage with employers and other members of the local economic community.
Every two years, since 2004, Ipsos MORI has surveyed thousands of year 11 pupils on behalf of the QCA (now QCDA) and the results show consistently high levels of interest and value.
|
|
% having participated |
% finding helpful |
|||
|
Activity |
2009 |
2007 |
2004 |
2009 |
2007 |
|
Been on a work placement for one week or more |
83 |
88 |
80 |
84 |
87 |
|
Visited a work place, such as a factory or a shop |
58 |
60 |
54 |
69 |
76 |
|
Listened to, or spoken with, a visitor from business |
46 |
59 |
46 |
72 |
75 |
|
Taken part in a mini-enterprise or other enterprise project |
34 |
48 |
17 |
64 |
68 |
The 2009 survey demonstrated that three-quarters of all pupils (and not just those planning to enter work at the end of compulsory schooling) should be taught about jobs and working life at schools. Young people enjoy opportunities to interact with employers and their parents approve - the 2007 QCA report showing that 70% of parents were generally or very positive about work-related learning in the school curriculum.
Motivation to learn
Given what is known about the preferred learning styles of young people, such positive attitudes are not surprising. The mammoth 2006 NFER review of more than 300 research publications on young people perceptions by Pippa Lord and Megan Jones in 2006 found:
- real-life connections are important in creating relevance for pupils
- pupils value expertise in subject knowledge
- pupils welcome sessions with professionals from within the field
And surveys of young people show that young people recognise the value of work experiencee especially in helping them to understand the importance of learning at school to future employment. A 2007 DCSF survey of 8,000 pupils who had just finished work experience showed:
- 90% agreeing (with 50% strongly agreeing) that they understood better why it is important to do well at school
- 89% agreeing (with 42% strongly agreeing) that they were more prepared to work hard in lessons and coursework
In two teaching areas which involve especially close working with employers, Ofsted inspectors have also found compelling evidence of young people responding positively to employer engagement in the learning experience.
Delivery of the Diploma depends on employers working with teaching staff to bring learning to life through development of course materials, classroom and workplace visits and work experience. Ofsted's 2009 thematic review of Diploma teaching at 66 schools and colleges found that the best examples of Diploma delivery provided pupils with "a range of inputs and visits, which significantly enhanced their learning and enthusiasm for the subject". Where delivery was at its best, young people "were participating in… well-planned visits, supported by learning in the classroom which involved teachers and employers. Students were enthused and motivated by these practical learning opportunities."
The reviewers concluded: "In almost all the [Diploma] consortia visited, [pupils] were well motivated by the applied nature of their learning and the opportunity to work in realistic vocational contexts."
Ofsted's 2007 thematic review of the Young Apprenticeship programme was based on visits to schools and colleges in 54 delivery partnerships and found similar reactions among young people. Aimed at average or both average ability Key Stage four pupils, Young Apprentices follow a curriculum rich in work-related learning and take 50 days work experience over a two year course of study. "In almost all the partnerships throughout the three years of inspection," the inspectors concluded, "students have been enthusiastic, well-motivated and well-behaved."
Higher aspirations
School-based activities that involve employers can also improve the aspirations of children and young people. DCSF's 2007 survey of 8,000 work experience students found, for example, that 75% were clearer about what they wanted to do in their future careers after the placement.
Focus groups of young people from Black and Minority Ethnic groups show that positive images gained of scientists on work placements help to outweigh negative media images, and many schools feel that young people engaging in enterprise education are more likely to consider self-employment or setting up their own businesses.
The effect is also felt at primary level. The 2008 evaluation of the Time to Read scheme where employee volunteers came into Northern Ireland primary schools to listen to Key Stage 2 pupils read, found school principals confident that the scheme had a strong impact on pupils aspirations for the future, as well self-esteem, reading ability, social skills and enjoyment of learning.
Employer participation in the provision of careers education, information, advice and guidance can transform young people's knowledge and understanding of pathways to learning and work.
Higher attainment
Young people enjoy the opportunities that they get to work with employers and are motivated by them, thinking more critically about their future career options and better seeing the relevance of their school or college work to future employment. It is unsurprising, therefore, that there is growing evidence of measurable improved impacts on the attainment of pupils in tests and qualifications.
A 2008 literature review commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, identified a strong need for better quality research into the impact of partnerships between schools/colleges and employers for young people. It highlighted studies of five particular UK and US programmes of employer engagement involving a range of activities include pupil mentoring, job shadowing, employer engagement in curriculum development and employer participation in classroom discussions. Using robust social science methodologies, each programme provided evidence of young people improving their attainment as a result of the intervention.
Ofsted inspectors have also detected evidence of causal links between learning experiences which draw on high level employer engagement and improved educational attainment of young people, notably those at greatest risk of underachievement. Their 2009 review of Diploma provision states:
"The effectiveness of implementation of 14-19 reforms generally, in raising attainment and extending the range of provision for young people, was at least good in 20 of the consortia, and satisfactory in the remaining three. The impact of a range of initiatives was particularly evident in the increased participation and achievement of young people who might otherwise have been in danger of disengagement from education and training."
Increased employability
After they've completed work experience, overwhelming majorities of young people agree that they have a better understanding of the skills that employers are looking for (94%), of the personal qualities that employers are looking for (94%) and had a chance to develop and display such skills on their placement (87%).
And employers agree that work experience especially provides a hugely helpful insight into the world of work. A 2007 employer survey by the CBI showed that work experience played an important part in developing the personal skills and attitudes that employers most highly value. To employers, the key benefits of work experience include:
- Learning about the importance of generic employability skills (eg, self-management, team working, customer care, problem solving, oral and written communication, IT skills)
- Insight into a particular career or sector
- General business awareness
- Developing a positive attitude
A 2009 poll of 204 Yorkshire schools showed that 60% agreed enterprise activities had a positive impact increasing the employability/enterprise skills of young people such as time management, decision-making and problem-solving.
Ofsted's interviews with employers supporting the work experience-heavy Young Apprenticeship programme were clear. The inspectors argued the programme benefited young people because they "developed skills and attributes which made them more employable, including a willingness to learn, interpersonal skills through working with adults in the work place, communication skills, team working, good timekeeping and attendance."
Find out more
For further evidence of why it makes a difference visit Research Reports.
Keep in touch with the growing research base: visit Education and Employers Taskforce.