Many businesses in Cornwall are already doing brilliant things with schools and young people. Whether it is offering a work experience placement, taking on an apprentice, or simply sharing career stories in a classroom, these moments can spark something lasting.
But often, it can be hard to know if the effort you are putting in is hitting the mark, or how it compares with what others are doing nationally. That is where the Careers and Enterprise Company’s Employer Standards tool comes in.
What is it?
The Employer Standards is a free online framework that helps businesses reflect on the way they connect with education. Through a short self-assessment questionnaire, it shows where your current practice is strong, and where there might be room to align with proven approaches.
It is not just a checklist. The tool comes with case studies from other businesses, resources to improve your outreach, and an evidence pack that can strengthen the business case for doing this work.
Why it matters for Cornwall
Here at Tech Cornwall, we were one of the Cornerstone Employers who contributed to shaping the Standards. Using it ourselves has helped us sharpen the way we support schools and young people. It has given us clearer goals, and made our outreach more effective.
For Cornwall’s businesses, this can make a real difference. Engaging with schools is not only about giving back, it is about shaping your future workforce, finding local talent, and making sure young people see the opportunities right here on their doorstep.
What businesses gain
By taking half an hour to complete the self-assessment, you can:
- Shape tomorrow’s workforce
- Develop stronger talent pipelines
- Close skills gaps
- Increase diversity
- Attract applicants for jobs and apprenticeships
- Deliver meaningful social value in your community
Get started
You can explore the Employer Standards and try the tool for yourself via the Careers and Enterprise Company Employer Portal.
