Benefits to you

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.

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!