Employer engagement in schools

The NFER (the UK's National Foundation for Educational Research) has releasedthis report that explores the best available evidence on ways employers engage with schools, the features and principles of successful employer involvement, and the impact of employers' involvement on young peoples' progression. Overall, the involvement of employers with schools is considered to be beneficial to all involved; however, there is a lack of evidence on the impact employer involvement has on students' achievement and progression. Some keys findings of the report are:

• There are ten key features to successful employer involvement, which include good communication, commitment, flexibility, and a focus on the curriculum.
• There is some evidence of a positive impact on students' vocational skills, knowledge, and understanding; academic and learning outcomes; health and well-being; and enjoyment and engagement, but a lack of robust evidence on the impact on harder outcomes such as achievement and continuing education.
• There is little evidence of the impact on specific groups of young people who might be at risk of becoming "NEET" (not in education, employment, or training).