Supporting high quality teaching
Your input into classes will ensure that teachers can share up to date knowledge, and gives you the opportunity to shape the skills being taught around your business needs. You could help design a course or support a student project, give teachers the opportunity to find out about current industry practice by hosting a site visit, teach a masterclass yourself, or even donate some equipment or workshop time for students.
Contributing facilities or specialist equipment
Schools and colleges may not have access to industry-standard equipment on site. Employers can help by donating or loaning equipment including machinery, tools, computer hardware and software or workshop items. Alternatively, you may wish to consider providing occasional access to your premises where possible. Some colleges also host manufacturers’ equipment, enabling local companies to view demonstrations on their sites.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
Your commitment
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Preparation time may be substantial
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Professional development for teachers
Employers can give teachers first-hand experience of their industry through professional development opportunities such as site visits, short placements for teachers, or
longer-term part-time working arrangements between the institutions. These opportunities help to maintain teachers’ knowledge of the latest technical and professional developments in your industry, including present and future career opportunities, and the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for different roles. Teachers use these insights to inspire their students and keep the teaching curriculum up to date.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Short/ongoing
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Providing specialist input for classes
Employers can share specialist knowledge with students in a variety of ways, such as advising on new technologies, processes and services within a specific industry. You could act as an ‘Industry Associate’ – getting involved in a range of activities with students including presenting masterclasses, helping to deliver workshops or lectures.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Short
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Helping design a course
Employer input can add real relevance to educational programmes to bring the curriculum to life and equip young people for the transition from school or college into the workplace. You can support teachers in a range of ways, from giving feedback on the curriculum content, to co-designing courses. For particular topics you may help with designing a specialist lesson or workshop or being involved in case studies and projects (see the next section).
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Liaison with education institution
- Preparation time may be substantial (e.g. for co-designing courses)
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Setting and supporting student projects
With employer projects students address a ‘real-life’ challenge experienced by a local employer – their client. You will be involved throughout the project, working with teaching staff in designing and setting the task, reviewing students’ progress, receiving the final product or report and feeding back to students. In some cases, a project could be a formal requirement of a student’s qualification, and at higher levels, students can work on solutions for your real business challenges.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Fresh perspectives
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Ongoing
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
For more information please visit The Skills Builder Website.