Connecting Schools and Businesses in Greater Lincolnshire
- Alex Nightingale
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Maintaining a skilled workforce is a major, long-term issue and a key priority for many businesses in Greater Lincolnshire.
This means that the role of employers in preparing young people for the world of work is more important than ever. Many local SMEs are now asking; how do we find and develop people with the right skills, when many young people aren’t fully prepared for the realities of the workplace?
The answer lies in businesses working more closely with schools, colleges and students. By opening doors to young people and sharing valuable insights, employers provide real world experiences that influence the younger generation and inspires them to consider new careers they didn’t know existed. Whether offering work experience, giving just one hour of your time, or opening your doors to school visits, businesses can play a vital role in shaping a skilled, confident, future workforce.
Moving from education into work is becoming more complex. Young people now need more than qualifications alone - they also need transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and communication, and in some cases, practical work experience, to succeed in a changing economy. Statistics show that the more encounters a young person has with the world of work, the less likely they are to be NEET (not in education, employment, or training) at 19. Four or more meaningful encounters can significantly improve a young person’s chance of realising their aspirations.
For businesses, this creates both a responsibility and an opportunity, even small involvements can help cultivate future talent whilst giving you access to motivated, skilled individuals.
The Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub is here to help bridge this gap and bring together schools, colleges, and local employers to strengthen careers education across the region.
Recently, more than 150 education and business leaders gathered at Lincoln Bishop University for their From Classroom to Boardroom event - a flagship gathering designed to develop stronger, strategic connections between schools, colleges, and employers across
Greater Lincolnshire.
The day featured expert insights, practical workshops, and networking opportunities to help schools and employers build durable relationships. Whilst creating new connections, the event matched businesses with schools aligned to their sector, and sparked plans for ongoing collaboration.
Mark Jarvis, a small business owner who attended the event, commented:
“Our responsibility isn’t simply to inform students about work, but to invite them into it. When education and enterprise collaborate with intent, we create pathways that last far beyond a single placement or programme.”
Participants left with clear action plans, new contacts, and renewed momentum for embedding employer engagement into school careers programmes. These strategic interactions can ultimately make careers education more relevant, meaningful, and impactful.
Schools also benefitted from the employer engagement at the event. Steve Penney, Head of 6th Form from St Peter & St Paul Voluntary Academy added:
“For most of human history, education and work have been one and the same. We learned the skills we needed alongside those who practised them every day.
The reality is that we are all educators, and we are all learners. Strengthening links with local businesses helps reconnect learning with the real world of work, giving students greater confidence, clearer direction, and a better understanding of where their learning can take them. We all share a common purpose, and we should never lose sight of it.”
Without these partnerships, young people risk missing critical insight into career pathways, and the skills, both technical and transferable, needed to thrive.
Engaging with local education providers can also bring a range of tangible benefits for businesses. It allows companies to discover future talent early, helping to reduce recruitment gaps. At the same time, staff can improve their own skills through mentoring, leadership, and communication opportunities. Businesses also raise their profile as community-minded organisations, while benefiting from fresh ideas and perspectives brought into the workplace.
To explore how your business can get involved, contact the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub.
Author: Alex Nightingale - Operational Careers Hub Lead
Business: The Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub
Photography: Headshot Toby
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