stand out from the crowd?
I’ve taught in schools most of my working life, so for me September marks the start of the new year. As well as sharpening my pencils and sewing on name-tapes there are resolutions to make. This year, I’m going to start a new exercise regime, clean the fridge more regularly, and sync my phone more often – rather more important now since launching my consultancy. And part of that consulting is supporting businesses with their education outreach programs. Perhaps your new year resolution will be to reach out more this year to the local community through education. But why?
REASON #1. RECRUITING BRIGHT SPARKS
Your business is amazing – you believe passionately in what you do. Isn’t it great to share that with the young people around you? They are your employees (and the voters) of the future. The Managing Director of a Kent-based factory employing STEM graduates was telling me recently how hard it is finding good people locally. Not many companies can afford a whole education liaison department any more, but we can come in and set up a project for you in just a few days. There are countless examples of what you can do to engage teachers and students (of any age group) locally. Examples include work placement schemes, providing a venue for teacher training events, open evenings, mentoring student research projects; perhaps you have your own ideas? New graduates living locally will remember the 6th form summer placement with your company when it comes to job hunting.
REASON #2. GOODWILL AT BARGAIN PRICES
Outreach is not a profit-making activity, at least not in the short-term. It sits alongside corporate sponsorship and other marketing strategies in terms of payback time. However, it can be very low-cost and quickly make a positive impact on the public perception of your company. This impact can be surprisingly closely targeted, with help from an education expert. You can build a lasting relationship with teachers, students (and their parents). We can train your people in the skills needed to go into schools; if you prefer we can devise and present the activities on your behalf. A fictional case study:
Your energy company wishes to install a solar farm, say. The local community is somewhat divided, so the company hires me to help them devise a competition for local schools. Together we decide to target Key Stage 3 (age 11-14) and launch the (carefully gender-balanced and age-appropriate) competition at a schools event, with a prototype solar car on loan – big wow factor, lots of press interest. The accompanying teachers are given a tour of the facilities, and lesson plans with suggested activities on renewable energy that will support the project; further homework activities get the parents involved too. Freebie solar cells are distributed for practical tasks and pupils and teachers can upload experimental results to the company website. Result? For a modest outlay (some resources and a few days of my time, plus a venue made available at the company), the children are all buzzing about solar energy, and so are their parents and teachers. The local paper shows the company in a benevolent light… the solar farm gets the go-ahead….etc etc.
Whatever your budget, HR constraints or health and safety issues, reaching out to the community can bring unexpected benefits for your people and your business’s goodwill. Everyone knows who the companies are who make an effort locally.
REASON #3. PHILANTHROPIC?
And perhaps it’s just a good thing to do. 
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