Information for employers - employer engagement

Work with Ferryhill School

At Ferryhill School, we believe that meaningful encounters with employers and experiences of workplaces are an essential part of preparing students for their future.

We welcome partnerships with local, regional and national employers, businesses, organisations, professional networks and self-employed people who can help our students understand the world of work, explore different careers and develop the skills employers value.

Employer engagement forms part of our progressive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme from Year 7 to Year 11.

Current statutory guidance expects every pupil to participate in at least one meaningful employer encounter each year from age 11.

How could you support our students?

Employers can contribute in many different ways, including:

• careers talks and assemblies

• workplace visits

• curriculum-linked careers activities

• employer-led projects and challenges

• careers fairs and networking events

• mock interviews and recruitment activities

• CV and employability workshops

• mentoring

• work-experience activities

• Year 10 work-experience placements

• information about apprenticeships and entry routes

• sharing current labour-market and industry knowledge.

You do not necessarily need to commit a large amount of time. One meaningful interaction can introduce students to careers, industries and pathways they may never previously have considered.

What makes an employer encounter meaningful?

A meaningful employer encounter has a clear purpose and learning outcomes, allows students to interact directly with employers or employees and gives students an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned.

Students should have opportunities to understand:

what work is like • the skills employers value • recruitment processes • what it takes to succeed

Working with the curriculum 

Employers can also help students understand why their school learning matters 

You could support: 

subject lessons • careers week activities • employer challenges • project briefs • industry examples • talks about how subjects are used at work 

Why work with young people?

Employer involvement can help students:

• understand different careers and sectors

• develop employability and essential skills

• understand workplace expectations

• challenge stereotypes about occupations

• discover routes they may not previously have considered

• understand local and regional opportunities

• develop confidence talking to employers

• build networks and prepare for future employment.

It can also give employers an opportunity to:

• raise awareness of their organisation and sector

• explain future skills needs

• promote apprenticeship and career routes

• develop links with the local community

• contribute to the development of the future workforce.

Help us broaden studnets' horizons

We want students to encounter employers of different sizes and from a diverse range of sectors, including organisations and careers that young people may not routinely encounter.

We particularly welcome employers who can help students understand emerging opportunities within County Durham, the wider North East and national growth sectors.

We are committed to ensuring that employer encounters are inclusive and accessible to all students, including those with SEND, disadvantage or other potential barriers to progression.

For further information regarding our provider access policy please click the LINK 

Get Involved

If you or your organisation would like to support Ferryhill School's careers programme, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Miss Hanson – Careers Leader
Telephone: 01740 651554
Email: careers@ferryhill.school

Please tell us:

• your organisation and sector

• how you may be able to support students

• which age groups may be appropriate

• whether you could offer workplace visits, activities or placements

• the best way to contact you.

We welcome a conversation to explore how your business could play a role in inspiring the next generation, thank you in advance of considering supporting our studnets.