Meaningful encounters with employers help Learners understand the opportunities available to them, challenge stereotypes, raise aspirations and develop a greater understanding of the skills, knowledge and pathways associated with different careers and sectors. 

There are many ways to support Learners and contribute to their development, including: 

• Offering work experience placements 

• Providing supported internship opportunities 

• Delivering careers talks and industry insight sessions 

• Supporting mock interviews and employability workshops 

• Hosting workplace visits and workplace experiences 

• Participating in careers fairs and networking events 

• Sharing your career journey and experiences as a role model 

• Delivering practical workshops linked to your sector 

• Promoting apprenticeship, volunteering and employment opportunities 

• Supporting curriculum projects linked to the world of work 

• Helping to challenge stereotypes and broaden aspirations by showcasing diverse careers, pathways and opportunities 

Every meaningful interaction helps Learners broaden their horizons, build confidence, develop employability skills and explore future opportunities.  

We recognise that employers invest valuable time, expertise and resources when supporting Learners. That is why we are committed to creating partnerships that deliver value for both Learners and organisations. 

That is why our approach is built around creating partnerships that deliver meaningful outcomes for both Learners and organisations. 

We do not simply ask employers to support our Learners; we seek to understand your priorities and explore how we can add value to your organisation. 

Depending on your needs, we can work alongside your organisation to: 

• Deliver disability confidence, SEND awareness and inclusion training 

• Review recruitment, interview and onboarding processes through an inclusion-focused lens 

• Support equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives 

• Provide accessibility and inclusion audits 

• Facilitate website usability testing and lived-experience feedback 

• Support staff development and awareness programmes 

• Strengthen social value and community impact activity 

• Enhance customer accessibility and inclusion 

• Help create more inclusive workplace practices and processes 

Many employers find that engagement with Oakwood becomes a valuable source of organisational learning, helping teams reflect on communication, leadership, inclusion, recruitment and workplace culture. 

Belonging Enables Brilliance 

“Belonging enables brilliance in teams.” 

When organisations create environments where people can contribute in different ways, they unlock skills, perspectives and talent that might otherwise be missed. 

Many of the Learners we work with demonstrate strengths such as attention to detail, creativity, perseverance, problem-solving and unique ways of thinking. Creating opportunities for diverse individuals to contribute can strengthen teams, improve culture and support long-term organisational success.  

Inclusion is not about lowering standards, it is about creating the conditions in which more people can perform, contribute and succeed. 

Many employers tell us they would like to support young People but are unsure where to begin. 

The reality is that the most successful partnerships often start with something as simple as a coffee and an informal conversation. 

At Oakwood, we take a low-pressure and flexible approach to employer engagement. We understand that running your business is your priority and that organisational pressures, competing demands and changes in capacity can arise throughout the year. We work alongside employers to find opportunities that are practical, meaningful and mutually beneficial. 

There is no expectation to commit to large-scale activity. Many organisations begin by doing something simple, such as sharing their career journey, delivering a short careers talk, hosting a workplace visit or speaking to Learners about their industry. We can even come to you. 

These small interactions can have a significant impact, helping Learners broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes, raise aspirations and better understand the opportunities available to them. 

Our role is to make involvement as straightforward as possible. We will work with you to understand what feels right for your organisation and support you every step of the way. 

Why not start with a conversation? You may be surprised by the difference a small amount of your time can make to the next generation. Not only can it create meaningful opportunities for young People, but it often brings benefits to your organisation too, and that feel-good feeling that comes from knowing you have genuinely helped someone take a positive step towards their future! 

What Our Employer Partners Say 

“We feel we get more from the partnership than the college do!“ 

– Exeter Cathedral 

Many of our employer partners report benefits that extend well beyond a single placement or event, including stronger staff confidence, improved inclusive practice, enhanced community engagement and valuable organisational learning.

Employer engagement can have a profound impact on a young Person’s future. 

By opening your organisation to Oakwood Learners, you can help them to: 

• Explore future pathways 

• Develop employability skills 

• Build confidence and independence 

• Understand workplace expectations 

• Raise aspirations 

• Make informed decisions about adulthood and their future 

At the same time, you will be helping to develop the next generation of talent, ensuring that young People with additional needs are not excluded from opportunities to learn, contribute and succeed. By engaging with education today, employers can help shape a more inclusive workforce for the future.