1. Building Effective Employer Engagement Models Bringing the Learning Home, Kuwait 28 November 2012

2. Introduction Employer engagement is at the heart of partnership work Both UK and regional A key criteria for funding Some examples of good practice Currently for many partnerships employer engagement is an add-on or by-product Currently little clarity on partnerships strategic direction as regards employer engagement Currently lack of best practice models and over-emphasis on personal connections

3. How can employer engagement be fully embedded into skills partnerships?

4. Recommendations Involving employers in development of proposals Employers as formal partner Utilising other departments in the institution as appropriate Clarity on which employers will be involved, when, how and to what effect Engage other appropriate bodies such as chambers of commerce More effective reporting of employer engagement, including mechanisms and numbers Dissemination of best practice models including through case studies, blogging, networking events

5. Miranda Swanson Skills Co-ordinator British Council UK miranda.swanson@britishcouncil.org miranda.swanson@britishcouncil.org