This simple how-to guide for specialist input for classes 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 school or college or intend to make new connections.
Employers can share specialist knowledge with students and teachers in a variety of ways, such as advising on new technologies, processes and services within a specific industry. You could be involved in a range of activities with students including presenting masterclasses, helping to deliver workshops or lectures.
Your specialist input helps improve student and teacher understanding of your industry, and can support your staff to develop their presentation, leadership and teamwork skills.
Watch the case study video, and read on to find out more…
How to maximise your involvement
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Identify what to offer
You may think your everyday practices are common knowledge, but insight into how engineering and manufacturing skills are used in the workplace, and how the industry is developing, is incredibly beneficial for students and may inspire their future career choices.
Think of how your expertise could best support and inspire a class. What would students and teachers benefit most from hearing, seeing or doing?
You could input into classes in a wide range of ways, including guest lectures, presentations, workshops, case studies and practical demonstrations.
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Identify key benefits and objectives
Think about what success looks like to you, how you could adapt your approach to achieve this, and how you might measure it.
What are the benefits to your business, and to the school or college you will be working with? For example, could sharing your knowledge and skills help you access new talent and shape your future workforce? How does this align with your wider business objectives and strategies?
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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 might have existing links through previous work or people you know. If not, you may want to work with someone local, or someone who specialises in your industry.
If you are not already in touch with your preferred school or college, you can reach out to them to get things started. Key contact details can often be found on their website.
Heads of Department, such as the Head of Engineering and Manufacturing, could 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
It is important that you work with the school or college to clearly define your respective roles and responsibilities, including the scope of your specialist input and any associated commitments or requirements, like health and safety training.
Establishing a framework for ongoing communication and collaboration – including key times, dates and frequency of meetings – is a great way to make sure the partnership works well.
You should be clear on the benefits your involvement brings for all parties and how you each define success. This will help to manage expectations and measure the impact of your input.
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Plan your publicity
Working with a school or college helps demonstrate your community engagement, and can be really positive for your business profile.
Speak to them about how their marketing team could help publicise your involvement, build awareness of your organisation and ensure all the correct sharing permissions are in place. You may also have your own contacts and channels to help get the message out.
Agreeing a publicity strategy helps ensure everyone sends out a consistent message that benefits all parties.
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Develop and deliver your input
The teacher(s) working with you will help identify specific areas of the curriculum where your expertise will enhance the student learning experience.
Together you can work out engaging ways to present your contributions so that they align with the needs, curriculum and learning objectives of the students you will be working with.
As well as delivering expert session(s), you could share your career story or engage with students through interactive activities such as challenges, Q and A sessions, or panel discussions. Sharing your real-world experiences and practical insights will enhance students' understanding, engagement and application of core concepts, which could help their future careers.
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Review and feedback
It’s important to get feedback on your sessions – speak to the school or college about how they can support this. For example, you might get immediate feedback in the classroom or via the teacher.
This can help you adapt your approach, and review whether your objectives have been met. You should also think about how you could give feedback to the teachers or students involved – and how your feedback could help them achieve their aims.
