Search SORTED
Toolkit to getting started
Some providers will already be actively engaged with their local communities and businesses (for example see CASE STUDY: the Pershore Group of Colleges). It may be that your organisation has already moved beyond making the business case for community and business engagement. If this is the case, it may not be appropriate to use all parts of this section of the guidance.
Other providers may not have looked at community and business in a strategic way and it is recommended that they use all of this section of the guide.
Other providers may not have looked at community and business in a strategic way and it is recommended that they use all of this section of the guide.
APPROACH: How to take your first steps
Making the business case and agreeing leadership and visionPLANNING: What should your first steps be?
Who are the relevant stakeholders?ACTION: Taking your first steps
Engaging stakeholders, identifying and prioritising actionsCommunity and Employer Engagement
Ensure good communications and involvement exists with the local community at all levels, including employers.Maintain and develop appropriate local and regional partnerships between wider stakeholders and providers, local authorities, RDAs, higher education and other key stakeholders.
Local Markets and Ethical Trade
Support local markets, ethical and fairtrade, and socially responsible initiatives within the community.
Consider sharing facilities with local community agencies and groups to make the best use of resources.
Be aware of, support and connect to, the local economic strategies drawn up and developed by local authorities and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Encourage learners and providers to undertake volunteering activity as part of community commitment to sustainable development.
