Employer Engagement: - Brighton and Hove - Camden Introduction: Why bother with Employer Engagement?

Different stakeholders have different requirements but there are areas of overlap PartnerDriversIssues and constraints BusinessGive back to society Be a good employer Enhance corporate brand Limited resources Activities must link to organisational objectives Need feedback from VCS/schools to inform, justify and measure VCSFunding / resources Support service users Staff / organisational development Promote organisation Limited resources Business engagement Difficulties in matching VCS needs to business objectives Limited business awareness of local issues/needs SchoolsCurriculum development Provide opportunities for students Facilities improvement Limited resources Business engagement Work placement administration - extremely resource intensive Competition with other schools

–A strong base of literacy, numeracy skills needed, which 65% of employers suggested needs to be improved –A strong grounding in science, maths, engineering and technology (STEM skills). 43% suggested that they struggle to employ people with the necessary STEM skills –A broad set of employability skills necessary for all jobs (team working, problem-solving, communication, business and customer awareness, self- management) –Greater levels of work experience and recognised qualifications needed –A CBI survey highlighted that 70% of employers want to see employability skills developed at school by embedding them in the curriculum Businesses expectations of skills (as highlighted by national Confederation of British Industry (CBI) research)