Building partnerships between business and education: where to start

As an employer, do you know how you could work more closely with your local school or college?

Understanding the different ways that businesses can partner with schools and colleges, can have real benefits – for both young people and for employers.

Here in the North East, businesses of all sizes and in all sectors are building links with their next generation of employees. They’re taking part in careers events to inform students about opportunities in their sector, they are providing professional development for teachers, and they’re giving young people hands-on, real-world experience of the workplace.

Lucy Johnson, Skills Facilitator at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) is part of the team which supports businesses to partner with schools and colleges in our region. Here, she gives an insight into the possibilities.

Why should businesses think about getting involved with their local schools?

A skilled workforce is at the heart of every business. And engaging with your local school can provide you with access to fresh new talent to support your recruitment needs, raise brand awareness in the local community and give you an opportunity to inspire the next generation.

Young people also need opportunities to experience the world of work so they can make more informed career choices in the future. And our local businesses can play a really important part in giving them these opportunities.

What type of activity can businesses get involved with?

There are so many ways, from volunteering as a school governor through to taking part in a 30-minute careers talk at a local school.

Businesses can give as much or as little time as they like and we can help find an opportunity that works for you.

What kind of support does your team at the North East LEP provide to businesses?

Through our North East Ambition programme we work closely with more than 200 education providers, from primary schools right through to further education, and we offer businesses a menu of different ways they can get involved.

For example, we partner senior business leaders with schools as colleges through our Enterprise Adviser network – a group of more than 150 ambassadors who work strategically with their local school or college to help shape careers provision. And we’ve created an easy-to-use work experience framework which helps businesses create high quality work placements which pay off for both the learner and the employer.

We’re also working to promote The Education Landscape programme which is delivered by Strategic Development Network and funded by the Gatsby Foundation. Through this programme a really excellent set of resources for employers and schools – the Education Landscape Guide and Index. Has been produced. Developed in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors, Careers & Enterprise Company, and the Department for Education, they bring together a step-by-step guide for employers to help them find their best route to engaging with education and an index outlining multiple options for working with schools, colleges and universities, young people and older learners.  It’s a fantastic set of resources and I would urge any employer thinking of how they can influence the next generation of employees or those looking for ways to raise their profile with the talent pipeline – start with this Guide and Index and then get in touch with our team – we’re ready to help.  

Watch a short video from Lucy explaining more about the Education Landscape Guide and Index here. 

Find out more: learn more about how your business can work with schools and colleges in our region at www.northeastambition.co.uk/business.