This simple how-to guide for professional development for teachers will help you get the most from your involvement. You can use this resource at any stage of your engagement journey, whether you have existing links with a college or intend to make new connections.
Employers can give teachers first-hand experience of their industry through opportunities such as site visits, short placements for teachers, or ongoing working relationships.
These opportunities help to maintain teachers’ knowledge of the latest technical and professional developments in your industry, including present and future career opportunities, and the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers value.
Watch the case study video, and read on to find out more…
How to maximise your involvement
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Identify key benefits and objectives
You can support teacher best practice and knowledge in many different ways, including workplace visits, masterclasses, short placements for teachers, or a longer-term mentoring relationship. Where appropriate, you might up-skill teachers by training them to use new construction equipment.
Identify what works best for your business and how much time and resource you can offer – this will help you plan your involvement and manage expectations. Think about what benefits your involvement could bring for your business too – what are your key objectives, and how will you measure success? For example, will your involvement help develop your staff, or improve teaching for your next generation of employees? Could your involvement help you hit social value KPIs?
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Connect with a college
Finding the right college to work with is important. You may have already been approached by a college, or might have existing links through previous work or people you know. If not, you may want to work with a local college or one that specialises in your industry.
If you are not already in touch with your preferred college, you can reach out to them to get things started. Key contact details can often be found on colleges’ websites.
The Head of Construction (or their equivalent) at the college would be a good first contact,
and they may introduce you to a subject teacher who can help guide you. Alternatively, if you don’t have their contact details, you could reach out directly to the Principal or a senior leader such as an Assistant or Vice Principal of Technical Education or Curriculum. -
Plan your activity
Once you’re in touch with the college, you should work together to outline a delivery plan covering the who, what, where, when and how. This is your opportunity to outline key roles, responsibilities, expectations and commitments.
Be mindful of timings – you may wish to avoid peak times for your business, whilst colleges may want you to deliver your activity outside of the school holidays or within specified continuous professional development (CPD) slots.
Remember to consider any additional permissions, insurance or health and safety requirements that may be needed, especially if teachers will be using any of your equipment.
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Plan your publicity
A big benefit of working with a college is that it can generate positive news for your business. Agreeing a publicity approach in advance will help make sure all appropriate permissions are in place, and that you and your chosen college are sending out a consistent message that benefits both of you.
The marketing team within a college could help build awareness of your organisation through social media posts, internal bulletins or local news coverage. You may also have contacts and channels to help with this.
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Deliver your activity
You can now put your delivery plan into action. For example, you might design and deliver a presentation for a masterclass, establish a mentoring plan for staff within your organisation, or set up a full workplace induction if you are hosting a teacher for a longer period of time.
Make sure you and the college are both comfortable with the arrangements and understand each others’ expectations. Keep lines of communication open to ensure a smooth process that works for everyone.
Make the maximum use of photo opportunities, both at your business and the college.
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Review, feedback & next steps
Once you have completed your work with the college, it’s a good idea to consider how it went. Do you have feedback for your college on the process of setting up the learning? Were your objectives and expectations met?
Do you want to do something similar again, or are you interested in another area of joint working – perhaps offering work experience, industry placements or employment, donating equipment or setting up a project for students? Speak to your college about ways you could develop a long-lasting relationship that will continue to mutually benefit teachers, students and your business.
