Employer engagement

We involved professional bodies and business-related organisations in much of our work. These included Sector Skills Councils, Education Business Partnerships, Employment and Skills Boards and also Business Link and Chambers of Commerce.

We supported our partner institutions' employer-related activities and projects and offerred an effective brokerage role supporting and advising on activities that were undertaken.

Employers and practitioners offerred their knowledge and expertise to our education partners to support curriculum development and delivery. Professional advice and guidance is always welcomed and plays an important role in ensuring what students learn and the qualifications they seek are relevant to the needs of industry. Apprenticeships, 14-19 Diploma courses and Foundation degrees were all areas of development that were supported.

Likewise, our universities and colleges have well established departments and business schools ready to serve the need of employers. They are able to offer courses and training programmes leading to qualifications ideally suited to all aspects of workforce development.

EXAMPLES OF OUR PROJECTS

Seminar on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships [July 2010]
Seminar at the University of Reading aiming to provide an insight into KTPs and the opportunities that they offer

'Develop your workforce: Employer's Guide to Higher Education'
Booklet explaining how businesses can benefit from work-based higher education and the various levels and types of qualification available.

Sponsorship of Aylesbury College Business Lunch
Event to engage with senior personnel from businesses in and around Aylesbury, focused on 'Training and progression up to Level 5'

Higher Level Skills workshops for Train to Gain brokers
The aim of these workshops was to ensure that all brokers in the region were given the opportunity to find out more about Higher Level Skills provision locally and how to access relevant resources and obtain support