February 7, 2023
A new national pilot programme will bring together 1,000 teachers and 200 businesses across England to boost collaboration and improve young people’s career opportunities.
The Careers & Enterprise Company’s (CEC) Teacher Encounters programme will engage a range of businesses from SME’s to major multinationals and involve companies like Rolls Royce, Cap Gemini, BAE Systems, construction giant Balfour Beatty, international film studio Pinewood and is supported by the CBI.
The new initiative 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:
Subject teachers part of the careers conversation
CEC’s Teacher Encounters programme will bring teachers together with local businesses to:
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.
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’s Skills for Jobs (January 2021) and Schools (March 2022) White Papers. Proposals echoed by Lord Blunkett’s recent Learning and Skills Report (October 2022).
Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships & Higher Education said:
“Teachers are critical in transforming young people’s 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.
“This 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.”
Oli de Botton, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said:
“Teachers 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.
“This 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.”
Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director said:
“Getting the right skills and talent is a priority for every business. Participation in the Teachers Encounters programme is a brilliant way for firms of all sizes and sectors to step up and take action to help ensure tomorrow’s workforce are informed and inspired about careers in business.”
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association for School and College Leaders said:
“We 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.”
Being part of the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub has been pivotal to the development of careers provision in our school. The Hub have shared good practice across their members resulting in a stronger focus on good quality provision. The annual event enabled the hub to share their vision of School Improvement Through The Lens of Careers and looking beyond the Benchmarks. It was a fantastic opportunity to share different models of school improvement and strategies to further develop careers provision to enhance the future opportunities of our young people.
Mrs A Spencer, John Taylor High SchoolIt it superb to be able to speak with local schools, colleges, and businesses in Stoke and Staffs and show how important the partnerships are to bring the skills of the future. Educating those who educate the ones shaping the aspirations of young people is essential for the industry to grow and be more sustainable.”
Alison Tucker, St Modwen