Persuading employers to help

Research by CIPD suggests there is ‘…a real mismatch between employers’ expectations of young people during the recruitment process and young people’s understanding of what is expected of them’. Bridging this gap can be achieved by bringing the worlds of employers and education closer. A partnership between school/college and employers can be mutually beneficial – a win/win arrangement – if done correctly.Building partnerships with local employers can enrich and enhance classroom learning, helping students to gain perspective on how their study relates to the world of work and giving them a glimpse of what is possible beyond school or college.For the employer, there are many potential motivations for supporting schools and colleges:

• PR and marketing opportunities within the community.
• Recruitment opportunities and building talent pipelines.
• Fresh ideas from young minds and new ways of thinking.
• Staff and management development opportunities.
• Reinforced corporate values and a more motivated workforce.
• Engagement with, and contribution to, the local community.
• Supporting a personal connection with a particular education establishment.

Discuss

Consider your, or your colleagues’, previous experiences of employer engagement.

How did you persuade the employer to engage with you? Did the employer require anything in return (for example photographs, evidence of student work)?