Benefits

There are a wealth of key benefits in engaging with local communities and businesses. These are explained in more detail in the resources section but include:

• Better relationship with local employers. Making the curriculum and learners more attractive to the needs of local companies should help boost local employment levels. Educating local learners and helping them into local employment will be beneficial to the local economy. This in turn, may lead to higher admission rates in the future. Employers may also have access to key experts within a provider for advice and guidance and vice versa.

• Better community relations. The image of a provider within its local neighbourhood and community will be enhanced where it is actively contributing to the wellbeing of its local area. Maintaining grounds and buildings and managing security well will cement good relations with local neighbours and ensure that it is in keeping with local neighbourhoods. Encouraging staff and learners to engage in community volunteering activities and projects will also benefit local people and enhance the profile of the provider. Shared facilities, for example for business seminars and presentations, catering, arts and cultural events and for recreation will also help strengthen community cohesion and place a provider at the heart of a local community.

• Improved reputation. A more proactive approach to sustainable development at local and community level by a provider can improve its overall reputation at the local level. Clearly, as young people are becoming more aware of their social, environmental and economic impacts, this may also have a bearing upon admission rates. Providing local jobs for staff as well as education, training and in turn, employment for learners will directly reduce the need to travel which will have a positive impact on the environment. Greening buildings can also set a good example in local communities and be used as exemplars of good practice for businesses, individuals and schools to visit.

• A strong and proactive leadership in sustainable development may contribute to improved staff morale and wellbeing, as well as staff retention rates.