Dorset Careers Hub have been successful in securing further funding to deliver more Teacher Encounter opportunities over the next academic year, following the successful project which took place since April 2024.
The funding was awarded by the Careers and Enterprise Company.
The Teacher Encounters programme was designed to help educators increase their confidence and knowledge of the variety of opportunities relevant to their teaching subject.
Teachers and the wider education workforce play a key role in supporting young people’s career-decision making. However, the pace of change in their related sectors can make it extremely challenging for teachers to stay up to date with skills employers need from a future workforce and the variety of opportunities and career pathways available to their students.
The programme provides an opportunity for teachers to engage directly with employers to see and learn about the different career pathways relevant to their subjects. It also enables them to observe how their subject is applied practically in business. Teacher encounters can take many forms, from two hours to multiple days, face-to-face, virtual or a mix of both.
A huge thank you to AFC Bournemouth, JP Morgan and NHS Dorset who delivered insightful encounters to over 24 teaching staff from Mainstream and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) schools and colleges across the region.
Sport Management
The first of our Teacher Encounters took place at the Vitality Stadium, hosted by AFC Bournemouth, and supported by Paragon Skills.
Attendee's experienced a stadium tour, which included sport psychology tactics used by the first team. They also learnt about the 180 jobs employed at the stadium (including media, operations, ground management, commercial, IT, hospitality and HR). Further insight was given around recruitment procedures, the skills required and the future of the sector.
Later in the morning, Paragon Skills, AFC Bournemouth's training provider that support their staff, shared information about courses that lead into related jobs.
Lisa Swan, Assistant Headteacher for Careers and PE Teacher said, "I teach A Level Sport Psychology; I'm looking forward to including their changing room techniques to bring it to life".
"I found the skills shortages interesting, especially that young people are lacking telephone skills".
Finance and Technology
The Finance and Technology Encounter took place at J.P. Morgan’s campus in Bournemouth, and was delivered by the EMEA Emerging Talent leads and their wider team.
Attendees met staff, including current apprentices, who talked about different entry routes, recruitment processes, required skills, and the numerous roles available within the organisation. They explained the importance of a CV and shared their top tips for candidates.
The Neurodiversity Lead led a session to share how J.P. Morgan make adjustments to support neurodiverse individuals in the workplace, and how effective these considerations can be.
Thank you to the entire team who delivered such valuable insights into their departments, and joined the teachers for a networking lunch to better build connections between business and education.
Teachers representing Head of Business and Economics and Head of IT and Computer Science from Highcliffe School said "It was a really useful and interesting day for us secondary teachers. Certainly better equipped to give appropriate advice and guidance to sixth form students!"
"We will also do some sharing of the data and statistics with our departments".
Healthcare
Following this, our Healthcare Encounter took place at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and was delivered by the Project and Apprenticeship Leads and their NHS colleagues.
Attendees heard how staff are recruited for a variety of roles including apprenticeships. Teachers in attendance learnt about the importance of supporting students to align their personal statements with the person specification for any advertised position.
Teachers also experienced 'Have a go' sessions with Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners, the Communications teams, the Coding team and the Technology teams who operate the medical mannequins!
The day was supported by Bournemouth and Poole College, Bournemouth University and AECC University College who shared education and training pathways, focussing on T Levels and apprenticeships.
Thank you to the entire team for such a fantastic day and sharing the many different opportunities available, which includes great apprenticeship and training schemes.
A teacher who attended the Healthcare encounter said, "Teachers who attended feel more confident about the skills needed by local employers, recruitment methods being used, apprenticeships and T-Levels being offered in the local area".
"Really enjoyed the opportunity to meet current and past apprentices and graduates".
If you are an employer who would like to learn more about Teacher Encounters, please contact our team at: dorsetcareershub@bournemouth.ac.uk