Project Overview

Who are we?

Formerly learn2work, the Tees Valley Education-Business Link Organisation Consortium works on behalf of the Learning & Skills Council to enable young people to:

  • Learn through work eg work experience, work shadowing, having a part-time job etc;
  • Learn about work eg careers education lessons or work place visits, highlighting employees’ roles, rights and responsibilities in the workplace;
  • Learn for work eg work simulations perhaps involving problem solving, mock interviews etc.

What do we do?

Based on these principles provide four key functions for the sub-region’s schools:

  • Up-to-the-minute advice and guidance on national policy, legislation and processes;
  • Co-ordination of a network of delivery partners from key organisations. This group covers the whole spectrum from general education support to specific vocational practitioners;
  • Direct delivery of work-related learning activities including block & extended work experience, Business Ambassadors sessions, enterprise education and employer engagement through our Education-Business Partnership;
  • Facilitation of Professional Development Placements for teachers to provide an insight into sectors, companies and job roles.

Who do we work with?

This position at the ‘hub’ of work-related learning in the Tees Valley requires us to link into a range of stakeholders.  Key relationships include Work-Related Leaning / Work Experience Co-ordinators in schools, the 14-19 Partnerships in the five Local Authorities, other North-East EBLOC managers, Sector Skills Councils, our Regional Development Agency ONE North-East, the Aspire campaign and various national EBP and Enterprise networks.

Working with employers

As we are responsible for sourcing and administering over 8,000 work placements every year it is vital that we establish and maintain strong links with local businesses.  At present there are over 3,500 on the database with the vast majority of these actively supporting educational activities.  Since August 2005 we have had a dedicated employer engagement specialist working with the team to attract those companies that have previously not been able to offer any help to schools.

In addition to this direct contact, we also position ourselves across a range of business forums and employer groups and ensure that we have a presence at the relevant conferences and events.

Last updated on the 06-06-2007