The Education Landscape in Lancashire

This survey, on behalf of a national education charity, seeks to explore the relationship between the Lancashire business community and the education sector. We’re hoping to better understand the beliefs and behaviours around the talent and skills strategy of your business in meeting your commercial agenda. Your insights will help us to shape a national campaign for the charity.

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* 1. Over the past 5 years, have you sought advice from any of the following, specifically to help you engage with education and training (e.g. this could be anything from working with schools, colleges or universities; joining a group to help shape the skills base for your local area; engaging with professional bodies about education and training)? (Please select all that apply)

Professional services (e.g. accountant, solicitor, bank manager)

Business mentor / consultant

Chamber of Commerce

Council / local authority

Trade / Professional body (If yes, please name)

Membership organisation (If yes, please name)

Local enterprise agency e.g. LEP (If yes, please name)

Education provider e.g. school, college, university and/or training provider (If yes, please name the provider(s))

Peer group e.g. fellow SMEs

Google search – online resource (If yes, please name)

Other (If yes, please name)

Please name here.

None of the above

Question Title

* 2. Over the past 5 years, have you received advice from any of the following, specifically to help you make decisions in regards to skills barriers that your business faces? (Please select all that apply)

Professional services (e.g. accountant, solicitor, bank manager)

Business mentor / consultant

Chamber of Commerce

Council / local authority

Trade / Professional body (If yes, please name)

Membership organisation (If yes, please name)

Local enterprise agency e.g. LEP (If yes, please name)

Education provider e.g. school, college, university and/or training provider (If yes, please name the provider(s))

Peer group e.g. fellow SMEs

Google search – online resource (If yes, please name)

Other (If yes, please name)

Please name here.

None of the above

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* 3. If you answered ‘Yes’ to Q2, did you actively seek out this advice or was this advice given indirectly, for example following on from another topic of conversation? (Please select)

Actively sought out advice around skills gaps

Advised by proxy conversation

None of the above

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* 4. Why did you approach this party for advice? (Please select all that apply)

Prior contact / long-standing relationship

Local education provider (proximity to my business)

Well known name in the local area (good reputation)

They approached me

Networking/event

Referral

Google search

Other (If yes, please name)

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* 5. What were you seeking advice on? (Please select all that apply)

Sourcing specific skills

Supporting students e.g. careers talks, career events, mentoring etc.

Supporting high-quality teaching e.g. contributing facilities/equipment, inputting into classes/course planning etc.

Providing workplace experience e.g. job shadowing, workplace visits, work experience and industry placements etc.

Providing work-based learning e.g. apprenticeships, traineeships, employment support programmes etc.

Providing expert guidance e.g. acting as a governor, enterprise adviser, contributing to regional skills planning etc.

It arose from a conversation about a separate topic

They approached me

Other (please specify)

Please specify here

None of the above

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* 6. Was your interaction during this enquiry / these enquiries positive or negative?

Positive

Negative

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* 7. Please explain your experience in Q6

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* 8. What benefits do you / would you want to gain from engaging with the education and training system? (Please select all that apply)

Being part of your local community

Additional resource for your business

Opportunities for staff development e.g. leadership experience

Talent spotting

Building partnerships

Fresh ideas and perspectives

Other benefit (please specify)

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* 9. Employers are often approached to get involved with the education and training system in a wide range of ways. Who is responsible for deciding if / how your business will engage with these opportunities? (Please list the job title(s) of all relevant parties involved in this process)

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* 10. What are the challenges to your business when it comes to engaging with the education landscape?

Lack of time

Lack of resource

Lack of funding

I don’t know where to turn to

I’ve had a negative experience in the past

Other (please specify)

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* 11. How often is your business approached by education and training providers?

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

I’ve never been approached

None of the above

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* 12. How would you describe your knowledge of how the education and training system in England works?

Excellent

Average

There is room for improvement, and I’m willing to find out more

There is room for improvement, but I have no interest in finding out more

Poor

Non-existent

Other (please specify)