Business Benefits

How work-related learning helps employers:
• gives fresh ideas and perspectives that can help deliver their business objectives;
• helps keep abreast of modern qualifications and developments in education;
• provides opportunities to demonstrate the jobs and careers available within their organisation (or employment sector) and to find recruits from a regular supply of school leavers who are more ‘job ready’, thereby helping to reduce their recruitment and training costs;
• provides opportunities to contribute to local communities and to build links which will enhance the profile and reputation of their own organisation and sector;
• provides opportunities to contribute directly to young people’s education, through influencing their attitudes towards work and helping them to develop their capabilities, and
• provides motivational and personal development opportunities for those members of their staff who are directly involved with young people and their schools and colleges – through broadening their own perspectives, developing their communication and management skills and increasing their sense of responsibility, self confidence, self esteem and job satisfaction.

Staff recruitment

Hosting students on work experience is a great way to get to know young people and spot new talent.  Every year, dozens of students are asked to work part-time with the company who hosted their work placement.  In some cases, students go on to manage these companies.  It can be a way of getting good staff at low recruitment cost.

Staff development

Increasing numbers of employers now recognise the value of employee volunteering as a means to develop and diversify employee skills, build confidence and decision-making skills and boost staff morale and retention. In some organisations, volunteering feeds into the employee's appraisal process.
For example, if an employee is performing well at work but being held up by a lack of confidence when making presentations, then talking about his/her professional role to a group of students could make all the difference.  Similarly, learning how to give constructive feedback and provide encouragement to a group of students will strengthen an adult’s ability to communicate more effectively with members of his or her own team back in the office.  Volunteering is not just about your staff providing expertise - they too will gain valuable experience that will enhance their careers and your business. It’s a win-win.
Supported by teaching staff, ‘Business Ambassadors’ circulate around student groups offering support, advice and the benefit of their business knowledge, to help students meet the aim of their challenge.  Business Ambassadors are fully briefed ahead of an event about the challenge, their role and responsibilities. Time commitment varies from 1-2 hours to a whole day.

Sponsorship and PR

We work hard to get good media coverage for our activities and celebrate the involvement of volunteer individuals and companies. There are good opportunities for this - every business who supports our work through volunteering, fundraising or donations has the opportunity to feature in our termly newsletter, on our website and in the local press and radio.
Our annual Investors in Education awards event celebrates on stage the work and support of our supporters from the business community and provides a valuable PR platform for us to showcase our work and attract new supporters and volunteers.
Such publicity is positive for our business supporters who enjoy an increased profile in the community and enhanced reputation with both their employees and their customers. We are always happy to discuss any PR related activity and the best channels to attain the best results.
A range of sponsorship opportunities are available both on a one-off basis and in the form of more ongoing support.

Getting the best

How employers get the best out of work-related learning:
• be clear about what they want to get out of participation and how, if appropriate,  youwill evaluate whether their aims have been met.
• identify the activity or activities most likely to deliver those benefits and which are realistic to their business activities, constraints and opportunities. Almost all employers will be able to get involved in some way.
• be clear about the costs of involvement versus the benefits. It is important to recognise that a successful contribution to work-related learning does involve a resource commitment. For example management and staff time or the costs of preparing materials and activities. Making use of the support available, including making use of Countec EBP, can help minimise these costs.
• recognise that legal requirements apply just as much to learners on work experience as they do to employees and because of that are often not onerous.
• make sure that any staff who will work directly with young people have the ability and are properly prepared to do so.
• work  with schools and colleges including to reach a mutual understanding of what each party expects to get out of the relationship.
• be prepared for the fact that 14 to 19 year-olds may behave differently from older employees because of their level of maturity and relative inexperience.
• prepare effectively for work experience placements, almost as you would for a new member of staff, e.g. ensure learners receive an effective induction, health and safety, any other workplace restrictions are explained and understood, and emergency restrictions.

It’s just the right thing to do

Employee volunteering in schools is a tangible and practical way to give something valuable back to your community by:

supporting the insights and skills development of young people and our future workforce
having an influence on young people, their attitudes, understanding and skills
giving an opportunity to staff to train their communication skills with young people
seeking the insights and voice of young people/consumers
And, last but not least, it is rewarding - and fun!

Useful websites for employers

• Apprenticeships, www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
• Child Protection, www.crb.gov.uk, www.isa-gov.org.uk/
• Diplomas, www.yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/employers/employer_information/
• Education Business links, www.dcsf.gov.uk/ebnet/business/
• Employability, www.cbi.org.uk/pdf/timewellspentbrief.pdf
• Enterprise education, www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/14to19/ks4/enterpriseeducation/guidance
• ‘Every Child Matters’. www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/aims/, www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/_files/F25F66D29D852A2D443C22771084BDE4.pdf
• HTI (Heads Teachers and Industry), www.hti.org.uk
• National Education Business Partnership Network (NEBPN), www.nebpn.org
• Qualifications, www.qca.org.uk/14-19/qualifications/116_118.htm
• Safe Learner, www.safelearner.info/employers/index.aspx
• The Right Start – Work experience for young people: Health and safety basics for employers, www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg364.pdf
• Work-related learning www.qca.org.uk/14-19/homepage/employers.htm