Engaging with parents and community

How businesses and schools can work together

"The business community is diverse. The time and resources they commit to a partnership will depend on their motivation to engage with a school.

"Schools that are flexible both about the nature of the relationship they are seeking and their expectations of the business' contribution are more likely to have success in forging connections with companies."

Business New Zealand, 2007

Many levels of business-school collaboration

Schools and businesses can collaborate on a number of levels:

to plan curriculum programmes combining school and work-based learning
to integrate practical vocational material into a subject area
to set up mentoring programmes for students and teachers
to establish work exploration and experience schemes
to create opportunities for students to carry out work observations, site visits, work experience, “employee for a day”, job-shadowing or part-time paid work.

Business support extends beyond students

Businesses can also support schools by providing:

learning opportunities for students, and sharing recent industry knowledge with teachers
access to industry-relevant technology
management expertise as members of boards of trustees, providing scholarships, sponsorship or project funding for students who display the aptitude and motivation to pursue careers related to that business.

Tips for successful partnerships

: Businesses can offer mentoring programmes to students and teachers

What businesses would say to schools:

The size and economic health of a business may affect its ability to contribute to the partnership. A school is more likely to be able to set up a partnership when the economy is doing well.
Schools should have a clear sense of what they want to achieve from a partnership, particularly in terms of learning and life benefits for students. Mutual measurable objectives should be made clear.
A business may not always be aware of the potential benefits of partnering with a school; having prompts ready will be useful.
It is important that both parties gain something from the partnership. A school may want to establish communication and recognition policies (for example, certificates, public appreciation ceremonies) and testimonials about successful partnerships to encourage ongoing or wider participation.

Third parties such as employers and manufacturers associations, Chambers of Commerce, economic development agencies, industry associations and industry training organisations can sometimes help broker partnerships and/or provide assistance to schools wanting to set up relationships with businesses.

Be clear and open about communication and objectives

Creating and sustaining school-business partnerships is assisted by:

commitment from the leadership of both parties
internal systems that support the partnership (clear lines of responsibility for managing the partnership)
regular communication
awareness of the potential opportunities and benefits for both parties
good planning and preparation
positive and open attitudes towards each other.