Industry Days or Business Simulations can take many different forms, but the aim is to introduce students to a number of industrialists who will work with them for a day. The students will benefit from the knowledge and skills of the industrialists and learn in a fun way how to work with others and achieve completed outcomes in a limited time period.

Who can participate?

Students and teachers in secondary, special schools and colleges.

People from business, commerce, industry and service organisations willing to spend a day working with young people on an activity which will improve links between schools and industry.

Occasionally primary schools also run special days when industrialists work with pupils.

What are the benefits?

Industry Days & Business Simulations allow students to meet a range of industrialists and talk to them about their work in an informal way enhancing their careers information and guidance.

The activities chosen for the day offer a new approach to the curriculum, and the events develop a range of personal and interpersonal skills with business-related activities, including:

• Communication
• Team Building
• Working with Others 
• Time and Resource Management
• Presentation

Teachers will have the opportunity of updating their knowledge and skills by meeting and working with people from industry, and there is the opportunity to develop long term links with a range of local companies.

Timescales

The activity lasts for one school day but time will have to be spent in planning to maximise the benefits of the day.

Key Elements

Talk to your Education Business Partnership Co-ordinator to discuss your school objectives for arranging an industry day.

Select the kind of activity which will match your objectives:

• A simulation exercise
• A business game
• A practical problem solving task linked to a curriculum area
• A series of short workshops associated with the participating industrialists

Firstly, discuss your ideas with your teaching colleagues who will be involved, then, with the help of the EBP Co-ordinator, identify the industrialists, business people or organisations you would like to involve.

Brief the students before the day about the role of your visitors and how they should treat guests to your school.

During the day do not leave industrialists alone with students.

Before the Event:

Decide on the objectives, the age and number of students to take part and the date of the event.  If a whole year group is involved you will have to arrange for the timetable to be suspended for a day and the support of senior management is essential.
 
Give plenty of notice to year heads and subject teachers.
 
Plan the day well in advance considering:

• What resources you will need.
• Which rooms will be needed including the use of a hall at the beginning and end of the day.
• Who will meet the industrialists, make them coffee, show them where to go, provide them with lunch.
• Which teachers will be allocated to which classes.

Either Tamar EBP or the school will organise evaluations of the event.

FAQ

How do I know what kind of activity will work successfully as an industry day?

Your Education Business Partnership Co-ordinator has had a lot of experience in helping to run these days in other schools and will be able to guide you.

How can I persuade my subject teaching colleagues that an industry day is a good idea?

Explain to them that it will enhance their personal and interpersonal skills which are relevant to all subject areas. Very many Business Simulations will also involve the use of Technology, IT, Mathematics and English

Contact:  Nicky Puckey or Jan Shilcott
Tel: 01752 605608
Email: nickypuckey.tebp@seymourhouse.org.uk or janetshilcott.tebp@seymourhouse.org.uk