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Birmingham & Solihull Diploma Business Engagement Strategy Engaging businesses in the planning and delivery of the 14-19 Diplomas Key Link Strategies: Birmingham 14-19 Strategy Solihull 14-19 Strategy Birmingham Diploma Strategy Solihull Diploma Strategy Birmingham City Future Workforce Employer Engagement Strategy Author: Chris Brockhurst, Education Business Links Manager Accountable Body: Birmingham Local Authority 14-19 Operation Group Status: Delivery Consultation Dates: January- March 2008 This Version Date: 24 th June 2008 Page 1 of 27

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Page 1: DEESG proposed strategy:

Birmingham & Solihull Diploma Business Engagement Strategy

Engaging businesses in the planning and

delivery of the 14-19 Diplomas

Key Link Strategies:

Birmingham 14-19 StrategySolihull 14-19 StrategyBirmingham Diploma StrategySolihull Diploma StrategyBirmingham City Future Workforce Employer Engagement Strategy

Author: Chris Brockhurst, Education Business Links Manager

Accountable Body: Birmingham Local Authority 14-19 Operation Group

Status: Delivery

Consultation Dates: January- March 2008

This Version Date: 24th June 2008

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Contents:

1. Executive Summary

2. Full Strategy Introduction

3.

4. Overview: Areas of business engagement within Diploma

5. Mechanisms for business engagement

6. Using for ICT business engagement

7. Workforce Development

8. Marketing

9. Funding

10. Action summary and timescales

11. Strategy implementation timescales

12. Linkages

13. Appendices

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Birmingham & Solihull Diploma Business Engagement Strategy- Executive Summary

The Diplomas have been developed as a result of consultation with business; who clearly stated that education needed to better prepare young people for the world of work. Businesses have been involved in the content and design of the Diplomas right from the outset- principally through Diploma Development Partnerships (DDPs) which are chaired by the Sector Skills Councils.

Employer Engagement is at the heart the success of the Diplomas at three key levels:1) Curriculum Design and Planning- Ensuring relevance to industry requirements2) Curriculum Delivery- providing industry expertise in a real or simulated work

environment3) Workforce Development- ensuring educators have the knowledge and skills to

prepare young people for a career in their sector and the wider world of work4) Diploma Review and Evaluation- ensuring that practice and outcomes meets

the needs of business.

This strategy ensures a coordinated approach to engaging local businesses in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the Diplomas in Birmingham and Solihull.

STRATEGY OUTCOMES A coordinated approach to the engagement of businesses in the

development, coordination, delivery and evaluation of the diplomas Ensuring sufficient numbers of businesses engage in the 17 lines of

learning Building a long-term infrastructure for business engagement in Diploma

activity Providing a strategy and support for all future diploma gateway

applications.

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE STRATEGY:This strategy requires the 14-19 partnership, Diploma leads and deliverers to implement the following:

1) To utilise existing data and school/ college business relationships to build on best practice and inform planning

2) To work collaboratively through the Diploma Employer Engagement Task Groups to engage new and existing businesses in the design and delivery of the Diploma.

3) To engage businesses in diploma planning and evaluation as well as delivery4) To establish and adhere to effective business engagement protocols through a

written policy5) To produce a written plan outlining areas of the Diploma curriculum where

business engagement can support both principal and generic learning6) To place Enterprise Culture at the heart of the Diplomas7) To identify and utilise ICT to enhance business engagement in each Diploma line8) To Ensure the Diploma delivery workforce has recent and relevant sector

experience9) To communicate Diploma information and Diploma engagement opportunities to

the business community10) To effectively utilise DCSF Diploma funding to support business engagement

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1. Introduction:

This strategy ensures a coordinated approach to engaging local businesses in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the Diplomas in Birmingham and Solihull.

A coordinated approach to the engagement of businesses in the development, coordination, delivery and evaluation of the diplomas

Ensuring sufficient numbers of businesses engage in the 17 lines of learning

Building a long-term infrastructure for business engagement in Diploma activity

Providing a strategy and support for all future diploma gateway applications.

Audience:Educators and support organisations with responsibility for planning, delivering and implementing the diplomas across Birmingham & Solihull. This document may also be useful for business representatives in understanding the local approach to business engagement.

DefinitionIn this context ‘business/ employer engagement’ refers to business engaging with educators and institutions charged with the responsibility of preparing young people for the world of work. This engagement results in both direct and indirect impact upon young people’s readiness to meet the needs of business and their employer/s right from the start of their working life.

‘Business’ includes organisations of all sizes and sectors (including the voluntary sector and education sector) who can provide a real-word context to learning.

4. Business engagement within Diplomas

The Diplomas have been developed as a result of consultation with business; who clearly stated that education needed to better prepare young people for the world of work. Businesses have been involved in the content and design of the Diplomas right from the outset- principally through Diploma Development Partnerships (DDPs) which are chaired by the Sector Skills Councils.The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) have implemented a number of mechanisms to ensure that business is an integral aspect of Diploma design, delivery and evaluation. The breadth and depth of this is best expressed in the Diploma gateway application process:

A1 Collaboration: Consortia should ensure that it is making the best use of the range of specialisms

of all the partners in its area, including employers and HEIs, in both planning and delivery. (A1.1)

A2 IAG: Young people, parents and carers, employers and HE institutions must be

involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of IAG. (A2.1) Diplomas must clearly raise aspirations and demonstrate progression routes, with

clear links to local employers and HE with progression possibilities presented positively as an option for all learners. (A2.2)

A3 Workforce: Programmes for placements within industry involving other skilled practitioners,

such as employer representatives should support employer engagement strategies (A3.1)

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B2 Facilities: Employers’ premises should be used for linking Diploma learning with the world of

work.

B3 Employer Engagement: Employers must be involved in planning, delivery and evaluation of the outcomes

from the Diploma line offering realistic learning environments and high quality applied learning

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3. Local Context- Birmingham

This strategy is linked to the Birmingham City Future Workforce Strategy (FWS), which addresses the significance management of links between education and businesses in its widest context. The FWS strategy is owned by the Employment and Skills Board (ESB) who are responsible for the development and delivery of an integrated employment and skills strategy through a single Jobs and Skills Plan. Birmingham links the key business engagement agendas as follows:

1.

Upskilling Existing

Workforce Strategy

(ages 16+)

2.

Worklessness Strategy

(ages 16+)

3.

Future Workforce Strategy

(ages 4 to 19)

Birmingham has a clear infrastructure for implementation of the Diplomas and engagement of businesses. This is as follows:

See:Appendix 1: Birmingham & Solihull Diploma model flowchartAppendix 2: 14-19 Infrastructure accountability and roles

3b. Local Context- Solihull

Solihull MBC is proposing to have the following infrastructure for Diploma Employer Engagement within its 14-19 infrastructure

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Diploma Development Group

Employer Engagement Strategy group

(DEESG)

Local Area Network Delivery Groups(including individual Diploma Delivery Consortia)

14-19 Partnership Group

14-19 Reform Group

Diploma Business Engagement

Strategy

Diploma Steering GroupsDiploma Employer

Engagement Task groups(DEETG)

Employer Engagement Strategy group

(DEESG)

Local Area Network Delivery Groups(including individual Diploma Delivery Consortia)

14-19 Partnership Group

14-19 Core Operation Group

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Diploma Employer Engagement Strategy Group (DEESG) This group is responsible for ensuring the actions within the strategy are implemented and that the strategy is developed in response to local, regional and national developments. DEESG membership consists of representatives from:

Birmingham Local Authority Solihull MBC The 6 Birmingham Area Networks The Learning and Skills Council Business The Birmingham and Solihull Education Business Consortium Education Business Links (Chair and strategy manager)

See Appendix 3: DEESG terms of reference

Diploma Employer Engagement Task Groups (DEETGs) These groups are responsible for ensuring collaboration and partnership for employer engagement across all Consortia and supporting the implementation of the strategy. There is one Task Group per line of learning (some lines have been merged for practical purposes (i.e. engineering and manufacturing))DEETG membership consists of representatives from:

Each consortia delivering or preparing to deliver the line of learning Business Education Business Links (chair)and may include invites from other key organisations

See Appendix 4: DEETG terms of reference

5. Actions to ensure high quality, effective engagement of businesses in the Diploma:

5.1- Policy

5.1a) Building on existing best practice:Birmingham and Solihull have a strong tradition of engaging businesses in teaching and learning at all phases. (Through the gateway process, all Consortia approved to commence delivering the Diplomas have had their contacts and protocols for business engagement assessed.)

Action: Consortia leads must utilise existing data regarding business engagement activity (including outcomes of school/ college work-related learning (WRL) audits) to identify existing links and best practice. This data should be used to inform planning

5.1b) Using a collaborative approach to engaging businesses (avoiding chaos and duplication):If Diploma managers, deliverers, networks and support agencies seek to gain business support for their Diplomas in isolation, the Diplomas will fail at the first stage.

Action: Diploma leads and deliverers must work collaboratively through the Diploma Employer Engagement Task Groups to engage new and existing businesses in the design and delivery of the Diploma.

In more detail:The DEETG provides a forum in which employer engagement can be discussed and an engagement strategy implemented. This will include:

Agreeing what businesses/ type of businesses will be needed to support all stages of the Diploma.

Sharing existing business contacts or declaring a priority interest in previously established relationships

Agreeing a strategy for recruiting and briefing new employers Sharing feedback on good quality, successful engagements

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5.1c) Involving businesses in diploma planning and evaluation (strategic involvement)In order to ensure that Diplomas meet their original brief, Birmingham and Solihull Diplomas must engage businesses in the planning of the Diploma at the earliest opportunity.

Action: Industry aware senior business representatives must be present on: Diploma Line Steering Groups

In more detail: Business representatives given opportunity to:

View summary of content and delivery mechanisms for appropriate lines of learning

Provide guidance on local need and propose alternatives where appropriate

To make suggestions regarding practical engagement of business in diploma delivery

Participate in a programme of evaluating the success of the Diploma/s in preparing young people for employment and appropriateness of principal learning

Diploma Employer Engagement Task Groups Consortia Diploma planning groups

In more detail: Business representatives given opportunity to:

Support design of content and delivery mechanisms for Diploma Provide guidance on local need and propose alternatives where

appropriate To make suggestions regarding practical engagement of business in

diploma delivery

5.1d) Establishing and adhering to effective business engagement protocols:Employer commitment is hard won and easily lost. In order that businesses are able to offer their time and build long-term relationships, thought must be given to the needs of the business and the mechanisms by which they are engaged.Action: Diploma leads must have a written policy/ set of guidelines for all diploma delivers who will be working with businesses.

In more detail: The policy must consider the protocols of involving businesses including considerations such as how:

business representatives can make direct and easy contact with the deliverers and are responded to

health and safety of learners can be guaranteed (including preparation of learners and risk assessments)

young people are prepared for interaction with business (including expectations)

hosting arrangements will be implemented (i.e. meet & greet, parking, catering etc.)

ongoing involvement is secured (i.e. by inviting to school/ college events, included in newsletter mailings etc.)

business representatives can benefit from reciprocal arrangement (i.e. use of facilities, pupil support projects, extended schools provision etc.)

5.2) Providing a range of practical Diploma engagement opportunities for learners, deliverers and businesses

Action: Diploma leads must create a written plan outlining areas of the Diploma curriculum where business engagement can support both principal and generic learning.

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In more detail: There need to be a range of opportunities available to businesses that meet their ability to commit time and resources. There also needs to be a range of mechanisms for engaging with businesses for both learners and deliverers. These may include:

i) Workplace group visits: Group visits to the workplace are essential opportunities to see business in action. Visits should have clear objectives and linked learner projects. Businesses should be involved in the planning of visits and ensuring outcomes meet the overall brief of the Diploma. Pupils should be adequately prepared and health and safety aspects of the visit addressed.

ii) Work experience:Work experience provides longer term, more individual experiences of the world of work. Work experienced should be organised as follows:

Individually appropriate work experience formats should be employed, including block and extended placements. Extended placements could be:

1 or 2 days per week for 1 or more terms 5 day block followed by 1 day per week for 5 or more weeks 1 day per week for 5 or more weeks followed by a 5 day block Pupils must undertake a preparation programme guiding them through the

process of finding own placements (where appropriate) and ensuring they are suitably prepared (including awareness of health and safety issues).

Placement programmes must be linked to specific learning objectives which are reviewed back in the learning environment

Placements must be health and safety approved, risk assessed and fit with pupils’ own school/ college requirements

Ideally placements will include an application and interview element in preparation for leaving school/ college.

iii) Pupil projects:Businesses should be given opportunity to set industry-relevant projects where learners have the opportunity to solve problems and make recommendations linked to their Diploma principal learning.

iv) Visiting speakers:Learners must have the opportunity to engage with a range of business representatives in the learning environment. Diplomas cover a range of business/ industry areas within each sector and over the course of the Diploma should discover more about each area. Business representatives recruited for this purpose must be supported to prepare suitable contributions and appropriate arrangements must be made for their visit/s. (see 5.1d)

6. Placing Enterprise Culture at the heart of the DiplomasEnterprise is a about a set of behaviours and attitudes that underpin an individual’s approach to life’s challenges and opportunities. If Diplomas are truly to reflect the needs of business and to help young people succeed in the workplace all aspects of diploma planning and delivery need to reflect the enterprise outcomes.

Action: Diploma deliverers to measure how each area of the Diploma curriculum is designed and delivered with opportunities for young people to be both enterprising and develop the skills required to be an enterprising individual.

In more detail:There are 3 strands to Enterprise:

Economic and Business Understanding Financial Literacy Enterprise Capability.

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Opportunities to incorporate all 3 into diploma delivery is important; however key to appropriate diploma delivery is Enterprise Capability- and this is about the mind set of the deliverer as well as the learner.

Enterprise Capability is defined as:“the ability to handle uncertainty and respond positively to change, to create and implement new ideas and ways of doing things, to make reasonable risk/reward assessments and act upon them in one's personal and working life” [The Howard Davies Report, 2002]

7. Using ICT for employer engagement in the Diploma

Action: Diploma Steering Groups (or DEETG) to identify and utilise ICT to enhance business engagement for their Diploma line. With small and medium sized businesses forming 85% of the business population in Birmingham and Solihull it is essential to create innovative ways of engaging with business that limit time and travel required. One key facet of this is utilising ICT. There will also need to be clear systems for monitoring and reporting on effective business engagement and collaboration facilities between Diploma deliverers.

In more detail:There are a number of resources and methodologies that this might include:Engaging with the business world:

Web-based access to a business environment Video conferencing DVDrom resources (both specific business focus and sector based)

Monitoring, reporting and collaboration: Developing a city-wide business engagement monitoring tool Utilising existing business engagement monitoring databases Business Engagement tool (i.e. ‘Connexu’ Single Portal)

8. Ensuring the Diploma delivery workforce has recent and relevant sector experience (Workforce Development):

The Diploma Gateway requires all Diploma deliverers to have ‘recent and relevant experience’ in the line of learning. An ongoing programme of sector specific placements in industry must be implemented for all lines of learning.

Action 8.1: Diploma managers to create a professional development plan for all diploma deliverers.

In more detail:A written CPD plan must be created for each Diploma deliverer that ensures that at least 2 days per year are spent in a business related to their line of learning. Placements might have the following focus:

Seeing the business in action Understanding the units of the diploma curriculum Understanding the needs of employers in relation to recruitment and long-term plans Undertaking practical activities

Placements may be individual of with other Birmingham & Solihull/ West Midlands Diploma deliverersPlacements can vary from one to multiple days as appropriate.

In the long term, recruitment for Diploma delivery should be extended to the business community and linked to relevant teacher training courses.

Action 8.2: Local Authority Workforce Development Team (or equivalent) to develop strategy for recruiting Diploma workforce with recent, relevant industry experience.

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9. Communicating Diplomas and Diploma engagement opportunities to the business community:

As Diploma lines commence local planning, businesses should be made aware of their value, credibility and the opportunities for participation. The 14-19 Core group will organise/ commission the following activities:

Birmingham & Solihull Diploma line specific information to be distributed to specific sectors

A series of awareness raising events for businesses Inclusion of Diploma opportunities in the Education Business Links ‘Schools

Pledge’ campaign.Action 9.1: LA develop materials for a Birmingham & Solihull Diploma marketing campaignAction 9.2: LA organise awareness raising eventsAction 9.3: EBL orchestration and administration of ‘Schools Pledge’ campaign

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10. Funding business engagement support activity.

This strategy requires: A support infrastructure (The Employer Engagement Task Groups) Policy development and planning time for Diploma managers and deliverers Business recruitment and briefing Activity Planning

Funding will be organised as follows:

14-19 PartnershipFund the chairing of the DEESG and DEETGs.

NetworksDiploma managers will be given time and resources to implement their responsibilities in line with this strategy (consultancy/ support time may be purchased additionally from Education Business Links and with joint planning, can support a range of networks)

ConsortiaEach consortia must allocate a proportion of its DCSF Diploma development funding to the engagement of businesses and implementing the responsibilities laid out in this strategy.

In more detail:The education business partnership, Education Business Links, have a support package available for each Diploma Line, which is purchased on a per-consortium basis. This package utilises the expertise and contacts of the organisation to:

Recruit and brief businesses for Diploma support Support the writing of the Consortium business engagement policy Assess the progress of successful Employer Engagement Develop activities to link young people with business

representatives (see 5.2) Organise professional development placements in business

(see appendix 5 for more detail)

By pooling resources through the DEETG, consortia will have collaborative control over how this package and expenditure is utilised. This will ensure, for example, that businesses need only be recruited once for the group, and that activities developed belong to all members of the group, rather than one individual consortia alone.

Within this framework, a Consortium might make very specific requests based on their Diploma plan, as well as requests that meet the needs of all the Diploma consortia

Consortia with smaller pupil numbers initially may wish to negotiate with their fellow task group consortia regarding their financial contribution and corresponding limited support.

Action:Consortia to indicate plans to purchase EBL support package by 31st MAY 2008. (This is essential in order for EBL to resource the requirements of the DEETGs)

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10. Strategy Action Summary:

Action Owner Deadline

Mechanisms for engaging businesses

1) Consortia managers to utilise existing data regarding business engagement activity

Consortia managerAt least 2 terms prior to delivery commencing

2) Diploma managers and deliverers to work collaboratively through the Diploma Employer Engagement Task Groups to engage new and existing businesses in the design and delivery of the Diploma.

Consortia managerDEETG ChairNetwork Coordinators

Ongoing

3) Recruit business onto local Diploma delivery groups to represent local sectors

Individual Diploma Deliverers

At least 2 terms prior to delivery commencing

4) Prepare a programme engaging businesses in evaluating the success of the Diploma/s

Steering group Project manager

As pilot teaching commences

5) Diploma managers must create a written plan outlining areas of the Diploma curriculum where business engagement can support both principal and generic learning.

Individual Diploma Deliverers

Before pilot teaching commences

Enterprise at the heart of the Diploma

6) Diploma deliverers to measure Enterprise within Diploma planning and delivery

Individual Diploma Deliverers

Before pilot teaching commences

Using ICT for employer engagement in the Diploma7) Diploma Steering Groups (or DEETG) to identify and utilise ICT to enhance business engagement for their Diploma line.

DEETGsBefore pilot teaching commences

Workforce Development

8) Diploma managers to create a professional development plan for all diploma deliverers.

Diploma managersNetwork Coordinators

Before pilot teaching commences

9) Local Authority Workforce Development Team (or equiv) to develop strategy for ensuring Diploma workforce with recent, relevant industry experience.

14-19 Core Group By January 2009

Marketing

10) LA develop materials for a Birmingham & Solihull Diploma marketing campaign

14-19 Core Group By Dec 2008

11) Organise awareness raising events 14-19 Core Group By Dec 2008

12) EBL orchestration and administration of ‘Schools Pledge’ campaign

Education Business Links

By July 2008

Funding13) Consortia to indicate intentions to purchase EBL support package by 30th September 2008.

DEETGConsortia manager

30th September 2008

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11. Strategy Implementation Timescales:

Action Lead TimescaleConsultation Chris Brockhurst Concludes 13th May 2008Head-Teacher Twilight Mike Jerome March 2008Sign off Chris Brockhurst By June 2008Review dates Chris Brockhurst DEESG Termly

12. Links and useful resources:

Websites: DCSF: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/index.cfm?sid=39 QIA: http://www.qia.org.uk/pursuingexcellence/aims/employers_impl.html Sector Skills Development Agency: www.ssda.org.uk Centre for Education and Industry: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cei National Education Business Partnership Network: www.nebpn.org Leacan: www.leacan.org

Documents:

Title Author Available fromWriting the Employer Engagement section of your Diploma Gateway 2 Application form

Education Business Links Education Business Links0121 248 8100

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17 Diploma Steering groups (first 9 shown)

Members: Local Authority (Chair) Connexions Education Business Links LSC

Higher Education Further Education Diploma Manager Business

Role: To ensure a city wide approach to delivering every14-19 Diplomas in collaboration with all key stakeholders

Reporting to: 14-19 Core Group

Local Diploma Network GroupsLead = Network Co-ordinator

Funding = Direct Gateway application Funding

14-19 Partnership Group

Diploma Employer

Engagement Strategy Group

(DEESG)

Central South East SolihullNorth Swan NorthWest

G1.3C&M

G2??

G1.1C&M

G1.3SHD

G1.3IT

G1.1IT

G1.1C&M

G1.3SHD

G2??

G2.1??

G2??

G1.2Eng

G1.2CBE

G2??

G1.1Eng

G2??

G1.3

Eng

G1.3

SHD

CBEJune 08

ITJune 08

BAF

Sept 08

C&M H&B

Sept 08

SHD H&C

Sept 08

T&T

Sept 08

E&M

Diploma Employer Engagement Task

Group(DEETG)

Individual Diploma Consortia

Key:

= Delivery Sept 08

= Delivery 2009 onwards

G1= Gateway 1 .1= category 1

Appendix 1: Birmingham 14-19 Implementation Model

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B’ham 14-19 Core Operation Group (LA Chair)

members: Local Authority (Chair) Connexions Education Business Links LSC

Work streams: Work based Learning Diploma Strategy Curriculum IAG

Employer Engagement Post 16 Network Development NEETs

Role: To implement 14-19 strategy

Reporting to: 14-19 Partnership Board

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Appendix 2: Diploma Business Engagement Strategy Group Terms of Reference

1. Remit & focus of the Strategy GroupTo bring together those with a strategic role in coordinating Diploma employer engagement to plan and coordinate high quality and sustained education business partnerships.

2. Objectives of the Strategy Group: To set, monitor and review the strategy for engaging businesses in the delivery of the

diplomas To link to a wider strategy for engaging businesses in education delivery To lobby for/ allocate funding to support a cohesive B&S strategy To drive the creation of a cohesive, clear message to employers in sectors regarding the

Diplomas To facilitate the engagement of businesses of all sizes in the planning and delivery of the

Diplomas To provide support for Diploma deliverers and leads To give businesses a voice in local education addressing the skills agenda To provide a range of practical solutions to linking young people and deliverers with

appropriate businesses To coordinate allocated employer engagement budget

3. Strategy Group Composition:Key agencies coordinating the delivery & implementation of the Diplomas including:

o Network Coordinatorso Local Authority 14-19 representativeo Connexionso Education Business Links (chair and lead organisation)o Education Business Consortiumo Employer body representativeo Local Learning & Skills Councilo Work based learning representativeo Higher Education representative

4. Meeting Frequency: Monthly

5. Reporting to: 14-19 Partnership (via LA DEESG Chair for Birmingham, TBC Solihull)Education Business Consortium Forum?

6. Initial group activities:Set strategyReview strategy progressAgree accountability structures for successful employer engagementAgree proposal for business briefingsAgree proposal for business recruitment campaign

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Appendix 4: Diploma Business Engagement Task Groups Terms of Reference

(For strategic fit see DEESG strategy paper)

1. Remit & focus of Task Groups:To bring together local diploma deliverers to plan and coordinate the engagement of businesses in each line of learning

2. Objectives of Task Group:2a. Task Group Leaders:

To create a cohesive, clear message to employers in sectors regarding the Diplomas To facilitate the engagement of businesses of all sizes in the planning and delivery of the

Diplomas To prevent duplication of requests for business support To give businesses a voice in local education addressing the skills agenda To provide a range of practical solutions to linking young people and deliverers with

appropriate businesses To coordinate allocated employer engagement budget

2b. Diploma Deliverers: To build a range of business contacts to support delivery of aspects of the Diploma To gain ‘industry’ experience to support delivery of principal learning To have the skills and experience to gain and sustain business links To have a range of opportunities available to support delivery and easy, cost-effective

access to these To work together to build a network of contacts for delivery of Diplomas

3. Task Group Composition: School/ Collegiate staff responsible for implementing the diploma Education Business Links SSN lead Employer/s Other key partners

4. Potential structure of business engagement:Shared and individual business contacts who can:

a) deliver/ support particular units of Diplomab) offer principal learning linked work experience placementsc) work with task group in planning structure & content of local Diploma delivery

5. Initial group activities:Identify current plans for business engagementMap Diploma criteria against opportunities/ requirements for business engagementIdentify potential businesses to support Diploma delivery (create a wish-list?)Agree protocols for working with key ‘shared’ businessesIdentify ‘workforce development’ opportunities and programme

6. Initial Task Group Chair actions:Identify employers on DDPs for own diplomaIdentify schools/ colleges delivering diplomaChair inaugural meeting and set plans

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Appendix 5: The Education Business Links Diploma Employer Engagement Support Package

1) Coordinating your Diploma Employer Engagement Task Group

Each existing and emerging Diploma line has an Employer Engagement Task Group, consisting of one member from each Consortium involved in delivery. The purpose and remit of this group is as follows: To ensure the implementation of the key actions in the ‘Birmingham and Solihull Diploma Employer

Engagement Strategy’ To coordinate the engagement of Birmingham and Solihull businesses of all sizes in the planning, delivery and

evaluation of the Diploma line To identify opportunities/requirements for business engagement within the Diploma line To prevent multiple requests to individual businesses for Diploma support To ensure businesses have a voice in addressing the local skills agenda through our education system To act as a support network for ensuring effective and successful employer engagement To create a cohesive, clear message to employers in sectors regarding the Diplomas To provide a range of practical solutions to linking young people and deliverers with appropriate businesses To coordinate workforce development opportunities for Diploma deliverers

The Task Group may, but does not have to, include a business representative and may, but does not have to, be chaired by the EBL representative.

The role of the EBL representative is part funded by the Local Authority and the LSC to: Arrange the Task Group meetings Liaise with other Task Groups and local, regional and national organisations to share and replicate best

practice Provide guidance on effective and successful employer engagement (including facilitating the

development of an Employer Engagement Diploma line strategy and implementation plan) Provide individual telephone support for Diploma deliverers

Cost: None

2) Sourcing business representatives and developing activities

Education Business Links representatives are able to source and prepare sector specific businesses or business representatives to:

Host student group visits to employer premises Host Diploma Deliverer visits to employer premises Lead/participate in talks/workshops in school/college Join planning/evaluation groups (Task Group/Steering Group etc.)

Education Business Links are also able to:

Develop and run Diploma specific modules and challenges Support the writing of your Diploma Employer Engagement Policy Organise Placements in business for Diploma Deliverers Assess the progress of your employer engagement policy

Each Task Group will collaborate to identify business engagement requirements, including number of businesses, sector, purpose of engagement, timescales etc. who will be sourced and supported by your EBL representative. As a guide: £300 per employer to source and prepare good quality business representatives

£300 per day to develop and run Diploma specific modules and challenges

Cost: £3,000 per annum, per consortium

3) Sourcing and managing work experience placements for Diploma delivery

Our successful and excellent value Vocational Work Experience Service provides a wide range of options; from sourcing and health & safety approvals of sector-related businesses, to a full programme of preparation, ongoing support and evaluated work experience placements.

Cost: Dependent on package utilised

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Appendix 5: Birmingham & Solihull Diploma Businesses Engagement Strategy Consultation Response Form

Consultation deadline: 13th May 2008

It is essential that stakeholders have opportunity to comment upon and influence the content of this strategy. Please use this form to register your comments/ suggestions (you can also return comments written directly on the document and/or continue on further paper) and return to:

Molly WinklesEducation Business Links100 Broad Street3rd FloorBirmingham, B15 1AE

Fax: 0121 248 8002 Email: [email protected]

Name: Organisation:

Date: Position:

Overall Comment:

Individual Additions/ comment/ changesSection: Comment/ Suggestion:

Section: Comment/ Suggestion

Section: Comment/ Suggestion

Section: Comment/ Suggestion

Section: Comment/ Suggestion

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