By Dr Anthony Mann (Director of Policy and Research, Education and Employers).
Governments around the world, with the strong encouragement of the OECD and other international agencies, are determined on seeing closer engagement of employers in the schooling of young people. This short report commissioned by Skills Development Scotland and the Edge Foundation looks beyond the desirability of employer engagement to discuss how it can be delivered effectively, efficiently and equitably. It highlights the important role that schools and colleges play as facilitators of employer engagement, identifies practical barriers which have prevented schools and employers from connecting and which have been addressed in Inspiring the Future as a delivery model.
The report develops themes previously explored in the 2013 paper by the Education and Employers Taskforce: Profound Employer Engagement: What it is and options for scaling it up.