Business Class is a nationwide scheme that sets up long-term partnerships between businesses and schools to give young people the skills, knowledge and motivation to build rewarding working lives. Over 230 successful partnerships have been established across the UK, with leading businesses such as HSBC, Boots, BP and Anglian Water.
Supported by local Education Managers, businesses contribute employee volunteers to deliver inspiring activities such as technology challenges, maths and English mentoring, and training in effective recruitment skills. Business expertise provides support to develop school leadership capacity, for example in performance management, business planning and marketing.
Proven track record
The programme has been running for five years, giving particular assistance to young people from deprived communities. It is managed by Business in the Community, which is one of the Prince’s Charities. Independent evaluation has shown a 40% improvement in employability skills and 38% rise in academic achievement in young people.
Companies involved in Business Class have found that it delivers value in the following ways:
• It provides exciting opportunities for staff development across all levels of a company, to improve employee skills, confidence and motivation • It provides a long term opportunity to influence the development of your future potential workforce and your reputation as an employer of choice • It enables national recognition of your work amongst a cohort of other high profile businesses • It delivers high quality corporate responsibility activities, supported by a local Education Manager and national resource materials and advice.
Business in the Community is setting up clusters of schools and businesses in Kings Lynn and the Norwich/Watton/Thetford/Dereham area. Eleven local secondary schools are participating and we are looking for businesses which would like to become Business Class partners.
If you would like know more about the scheme
Please visit https://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/business-class or contact our local Education Managers.
Kings Lynn: Catherine Lang, 07793 441385, [email protected]
Norwich/Watton/Thetford/Dereham area: Rachel Watson, tel 07718 341807, [email protected]
