Facilitate effective engagement between employers and education with a curriculum focus to ensure young people are prepared for the current and changing labour market
Ford Next Generation Learning partnership
In 2005, schools in Nashville USA adopted a new approach to learning which put employer engagement at the heart of education. The model resulted in a 23% rise in graduation rates over 10 years, and went on to boost student attainment in 25 US states.
Since 2018, the North East LEP - worked closely with Edge Foundation, Ford Next Generation Learning, and schools and colleges in the North East - have translated elements of the Academies of Nashville model to build an approach that works in the context of this country.
The key elements have included a focus on:
A Leaver Profile is a document collaboratively developed by a range of stakeholders including educators, parents, students, employers and other community organisations. It outlines collectively agreed skills and attributes young people need to successfully move on to further education, training or employment when they leave school or college. It may be faculty specific e.g. construction or Health and Care or maybe applicable to all young people.
Employers are key to the process by bringing real time labour market information to the discussion. The Leaver Profile then underpins strategic planning ensuring that young people are presented with opportunities within and beyond the curriculum to develop the agreed skills and attributes before they leave. The process promotes rich and meaningful employer engagement during the development of the Leaver profile, planning and future delivery of learning and enrichment activities.
Co-development of projects with industry can be at the heart of the curriculum (Gatsby Benchmark 4), making learning in school relevant to the workplace. The approach can raise students’ engagement, aspirations and attainment, equip them with the skills employers are looking for and prepare them for further and higher education, apprenticeships and their future careers.
Ensuring young people have opportunities to develop the skills required to be successful in their chosen pathway.
