Encounters with employers and employees
Every learner should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment opportunities, including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes, and could include learners’ own part-time employment where it exists.
What good looks like
Schools
- Every year, from the age of 11, learners should participate in at least one meaningful encounter with an employer.
Further Education
- Every year, alongside their programme of study, learners should participate in at least two meaningful encounters with an employer. At least one encounter should be delivered through their curriculum area.
Gatsby have provided a definition of what constitutes a ‘meaningful encounter’ with employers and employees:
A meaningful encounter gives the learner the opportunity to learn about what work is like, what skills are valued in the workplace, their recruitment processes and what it takes to be successful.
A meaningful encounter will:
- have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the learner.
- be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the learner.
- have opportunities for two-way interactions between the learner and the employer.
- be followed by time for the learner to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through the encounter.
Schools, colleges and ITPs can take into account any part-time work a learner may have, if it genuinely offers them a meaningful experience.
The resources below are designed to support you with Gatsby Benchmark 5. To explore all of the Gatsby Benchmarks in greater depth, download the toolkit that best aligns with your setting.
Provide multiple opportunities for meaningful employer encounters. Organise at least one meaningful encounter with an employer every year within a progressive careers programme. This could include employer-led workshops, mentoring, mock interviews, enterprise schemes, etc. These resources help Careers Leaders to plan, implement and impact evaluate a progressive and embedded approach to Benchmarks 5 and 6.
Encounters with employers, employees and the self-employed (…)result in better outcomes for young people, including being more ready for the workplace; having a reduced likelihood of not being in education, employment or training (NEET); and increased careers awareness, motivation and confidence. Use the checklist in this resource when planning all employer encounters.
Find and contact delivery organisations to support employer encounters via the CEC’s Provider Directory. Keep a centralised record of all the employers that deliver careers activities to your learners by utilising the Careers Partners section in Compass+. Enter contact details for employers safely and securely, then use the intuitive filter functionality to support targeted and meaningful employer engagement.
Education Leaders and Governors:
Education Leaders and Governors: For further information on each Benchmark, to support you in your role, please see the Education Leader, Secondary and College Governor Guides
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My Learning My Future: Engineering
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
My Learning My Future: English
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
My Learning My Future: Design Technology
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
My Learning My Future: Chemistry
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
My Learning My Future: Business Studies
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
My Learning My Future: Biology
The My Learning, My Future resources aim to increase learner engagement by showing how subjects connect to careers and the world of work.
Employer Education Outreach: Starter pack resources
These resources are designed to be used in conjunction with the guide - Employer education outreach: A starter pack. They’re aimed at employers just starting to work with schools, special schools and colleges. They’ll support you to provide meaningful opportunities that help young people gain a taste of the working world.
Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit: Colleges and ITPs
The Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit for Colleges and ITPs provides practical information and guidance on the updated Gatsby Benchmarks.
Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit: Schools, Special Schools & AP
The Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit for Schools, Special Schools and Alternative Provisions provides practical information and guidance on the updated Gatsby Benchmarks .
Guidance for Middle Schools
Completing the Compass evaluation and meaningfully achieving the eight Gatsby Benchmarks
This guidance takes Middle School Careers Leaders through how to respond to the sub benchmark questions when completing a Compass evaluation on Compass or Compass+.
Education Landscape: A guide for Employers
Free resources for employers, making the education and skills landscape easier to navigate by identifying opportunities to engage with education, and the business benefits these opportunities bring.
Impact Evaluation Resource and Support: Survey Questions
To support Careers Leaders with impact evaluation, we have created a guidance document on ‘How to write your own survey questions’.