Getting involved with education

There is strong commitment from employers of all sizes across the UK to work with schools and colleges, to offer more and better work-related opportunities and experiences for young people.  The business benefits of supporting education are clear:

• • Involvement in the development of the workforce of the future
• • Increased knowledge, understanding and profile of the employer’s industry and business
• • Engagement with the local community and meeting CSR objectives
• • Improved employee retention and motivation

Yet businesses sometimes feel unable to work with schools due to lack of time, resources or knowledge.  A recent CBI survey showed that although 7 out of 10 employers have links, 70% reported these gaps as a barrier to them getting further involved. 

The Institute for Education Business Excellence has a wealth of experience of school and business partnerships and can help businesses to get it right first time.

Employers can add value and variety to the whole curriculum through work-related learning in many different ways.  Some might be relatively easy for a business to achieve, others may take more dedicated time and effort, but all will be very gratefully received.

Businesses can:

• • Host work experience placements (Learn more) 
• • Provide speakers to inspire the students about different career options
• • Provide a mentor for a student group (Learn more) 
• • Set or judge enterprise and business challenges (Learn more) 
• • Support the new Diplomas (Learn more) 
• • Help with interview skills and CV preparation 
• • Provide Professional Development Placements (PDP) opportunities for teachers or careers professionals (Learn more) 

Find a local broker 

If you’re keen to support a school but don’t know where to start, try contacting your local education business partnership organisation (EBPO).  These organisations provide an essential link between schools and employers across the country and have huge amounts of experience in organising a range of activities for young people in education.  They support both the school and the business in the partnership so both parties achieve their goals.  

Many EBPOs have achieved or are currently working towards, the Award for Education Business Excellence so you can be assured of the highest standards. [AEBE Accredited Organisations]

Member Benefits for Businesses

The IEBE offers advice, information and support in planning and making the most of partnerships with education.  As a member, a business will gain:

• • The opportunity to network with other professionals in business and education
• • Understanding of the process of engaging with education and associated jargon
• • Access to virtual support, resources and guidance on issues including CRB and insurance
• • Guidance on what schools need and the relevant learning outcomes for the young people involved
• • Access to best practice case studies
• • Updates on the latest policy and developments in the work-related learning, diploma and enterprise landscapes
• • Reduced rates for the IEBE annual conference and employee training opportunities
• • Public recognition for your commitment to improving outcomes for young people through prestigious business awards

Click here for more information about Membership Benefits

IEBE Business membership is very reasonably priced and scaled according to the size of business. Fees range from £240 to £1,500 per year.  

Employees can also join as individual members for the introductory rate of £25 for the first year.

Although the IEBE is a very new organisation, it is built on the strong foundations of the National Education Business Partnership Network.  Tailored support programmes and a ladder of professional recognition are currently being developed for employees involved with school engagement.   Above all, individual members will be joining a network of professionals with expertise in ensuring better outcomes for young people through work-related learning.

Click here for an Organisation Membership Application Form

Click here for an Individual Membership Application Form