The point of partnership: the case for employer engagement in education

Purpose The Education and Employers Taskforce is a London‐based charity that was launched in October 2009 to help employers and educational organisations form effective relationships. The aim of this paper is to explore the benefits to employers and employees to be gained from engaging with schools on a voluntary basis. Design/methodology/approach The paper highlights research in four areas – staff development, staff engagement, recruitment, and corporate reputation – and concludes with a case study demonstrating how volunteering can be beneficial for business. Findings There are significant benefits for employers and employees across the four research areas from engaging with education and young people. Originality/value Owing to the positive impact on personnel performance, the paper suggests that education volunteering should sit within the HR function.