This simple how-to guide for contributing specialist facilities or equipment 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.
Schools and colleges may not have access to industry-standard equipment on site, so employers can help by donating (or loaning) equipment and/or tools, or by providing access to your site facilities. Some colleges can also host manufacturers’ equipment, enabling local companies to view demonstrations on their sites.
Your contributions support the technical skills development of the next generation and helps widen the scope of teacher knowledge and practice to better benefit your industry.
Watch the case study video, and read on to find out more…
How to maximise your involvement
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Choose what to donate
You could donate materials, equipment, facilities, software or services to your local school or college. Identifying what you can offer in advance helps you to set realistic expectations when you speak to a college.
You’ll also need to start thinking about the logistics of delivery, health, safety and insurance requirements, and any training you might to help staff and students use your donation safely and effectively.
You could form a partnership with other businesses for this – for example, you might donate equipment whilst another employer offers training sessions.
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Identify key benefits and objectives
You should spend some time considering what benefits your donation could bring to your business and to the school or college, and how these align with your organisational objectives and strategies. This will help support discussions with the school or college, and help you to measure the impact of your involvement.
For example, your donation might help teachers and students to bridge industry skills gaps created following the introduction of new industry techniques or new technologies are changing your industry.
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Connect with a school or college
Finding the right school or college to work with is important. You may have already been approached by one, or have existing links through your business or network.
If not, you may want to work with a local college or one that specialises in your industry. Once you know the school or college you want to work with, you can reach out to them to get things started. Key contact details can be found on the college website.
If it is a sizeable donation of resource, it’s a good idea to direct your contact to the Principal of a college or a senior leader, like an Assistant or Vice Principal of Technical Education or Curriculum. If you wanted to work with students directly, then the Head of Department or Curriculum Lead for Engineering and Manufacturing could be an appropriate person to contact.
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Plan your activity
Once you’re in contact with your preferred school or college, you should work together to outline a plan covering the who, what, where, when and how of your contribution. This should include a clear timetable for delivery, with key dates that you or the college are unavailable (e.g. school holidays).
This is a chance to agree your roles and responsibilities, and
consider any permissions, insurance or health and safety requirements that may be needed.
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Plan your publicity
Donating facilities or equipment can generate positive publicity for your business, so it can be useful to plan this early on. Consider any audiences you would like to target and why – and have conversations with the school or college to make sure the appropriate permissions are in place to support this.
Think about how you will share your success – making the most of you contacts and channels, and those of the school or college.
A defined strategy will help you achieve the publicity and engagement you were targeting, and ensure all parties are sharing a consistent message.
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Deliver your donation
Make sure you and the college are both comfortable with arrangements to ensure a smooth delivery of your resources. Your discussions with your college may have altered your original plan or timeline – perhaps you have identified additional training needs for school or college staff, or will need to wait to install new equipment during school holidays.
You should consider what your level of involvement will be during and after donation, including whether you will visit the college to support installation.
This could be a great opportunity to take photos to support your publicity plan.
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Review and feedback
Once your donated resource is in place, you might want to conduct a review on the process. Were your objectives and expectations met? What benefits were there for your business? This process could include arranging a follow up visit to see your equipment in use, learn about the impact of your donation, and give feedback to your college.
It’s also a good opportunity to discuss further ideas or ways that you would like to engage with your college, such as offering industry placements or work experience opportunities.
Speak to your college about ways you could develop a long-lasting relationship with benefits for all involved.
