91论坛

Companies and classrooms collaborate to enrich curriculum and career choices

New initiative connects teachers to employers to bring skills and workplace experience into classrooms

A new national pilot programme will bring together 1,000 teachers and 200 businesses across England to boost collaboration and improve young people鈥檚 career opportunities.

91论坛鈥檚 (CEC) Teacher Encounters programme will engage a range of business from SME鈥檚 to major multinationals and involve companies like Rolls Royce, Cap Gemini, BAE Systems, construction giant Balfour Beatty and international film studio Pinewood.

The new initiative, a key recommendation of The Times Education Commission, comes as studies show teachers are a key source of career inspiration for students. However, they want more information about the range of future options - in particular vocational and apprenticeship pathways - which are not a feature of their current training:

• Research by shows nearly nine in ten teachers (88%) feel their training doesn鈥檛 currently prepare them to deliver careers support to students.
• A report by shows while 70 per cent of teachers agree apprenticeships provide excellent future opportunities, only 26 per cent feel confident advising students about how to find an apprenticeship. In contrast, when it comes to university applications, 90 per cent feel confident giving advice.

Subject teachers part of the careers conversation

颁贰颁鈥檚 Teacher Encounters programme will bring teachers together with local businesses to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of local jobs - including the routes-in like apprenticeships - and the skills required in the world of work.
• Pursue teachers鈥� interests by exploring ways of enriching the curriculum; connecting learning in lessons to how it is applied in the workplace
• Build a shared understanding of the similarities and differences between school and work life.

Evidence from two early test pilots in Oxfordshire and Berkshire show support among teachers for Teacher Encounters. They say they help them improve their understanding of the range of jobs and routes into the workplace of today. They also help them bring that insight into how they teach their subjects, linking classroom learning to workplace skills.聽 聽

Proposed projects will range from face-to-face workplace visits and industry placements to subject specific learning across key economic sectors.

The Teacher Encounters programme builds on policy proposals for careers awareness training for all teachers in the Government鈥檚 Skills for Jobs (January 2021) and Schools (March 2022) White Papers. Proposals echoed by Lord Blunkett鈥檚 recent Learning and Skills Report (October 2022).

Oli de Botton, Chief Executive of 91论坛, said:

鈥淭eachers are powerful sources of careers inspiration for young people - through the conversations they have and the curriculum they teach. One of the ways we can support this work is through bridging the worlds of business and education and giving teachers meaningful encounters with employers.

Done well, these encounters can inspire teachers, students and employers. Teachers can see first-hand how local businesses work, including the routes in like apprenticeships. Students can benefit when teachers bring this insight into their lessons, linking learning to workplace skills. And employers can learn more about the workforce of the future.

鈥淭his pilot is an opportunity to bring careers education further into the mainstream of school and college life and build on the enthusiasm we know is there from business to better support schools and from teachers to support their students to take their best next step.鈥�

Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships & Higher Education said:

鈥淭eachers are critical in transforming young people鈥檚 lives and by linking them to employers, we are developing the skills of teachers to deliver valuable career-related learning in lessons and to raise awareness of the different careers and pathways like apprenticeships.

鈥淭his collaboration will extend the ladder of opportunity to all students helping them progress to a great future career, while ensuring we can provide the next generation of skilled workers that businesses want and need.鈥�

Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association for School and College Leaders said:

鈥淲e very much welcome additional support which helps schools, teachers, leaders and careers professionals to engage young people and help them make fully informed decisions about their future learning, training and career choices. As we look towards economic recovery, enhancing understanding of the skills, knowledge and experiences that employers need now and, most importantly, in the future is incredibly useful.鈥�