Over the course of the past academic year, the Teacher Encounters programme, delivered by Surrey Careers Hub, has brought education and industry closer together than ever before in Surrey. With over 100 teachers registered, 10 employers engaged, and 10 encounters delivered, the programme has proven to be a powerful and inspiring initiative.
A year of meaningful connections
Teacher Encounters was designed with a simple but important goal: to give educators first-hand insight into the world of work so they can better inform and inspire their students. Across the programme, teachers stepped out of the classroom and into a wide range of workplaces, gaining valuable knowledge about industries, career pathways and the skills employers need today.
The Careers Hub team were proud to partner with 10 diverse employers, each offering a unique perspective on the modern workforce: Ringway, M Group, RSM, CGI, Cambertronics, RHS Wisley, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Supermassive Games and Animal & Plant Health Agency.
From engineering and healthcare to creative arts, technology, and environmental science, the breadth of experiences showcased the richness of career opportunities available within Surrey.
Impact in the classroom and beyond
The true measure of success for Teacher Encounters lies in its ripple effect. Each of the 100+ participating teachers now returns to their students equipped with fresh insights, real-world examples and enhanced confidence in discussing career pathways. In addition, the employers are better connected to their local schools and have a clearer understanding of how they can support and engage with students.
Through these encounters, teachers have:
- Deepened their understanding of local labour market opportunities
- Discovered emerging roles and industries
- Gained practical examples to enrich curriculum delivery
- Built ongoing relationships with employers.
This direct connection between education and industry is vital in helping young people make informed decisions about their futures and it has enabled employers to build connections with local schools and start building their future talent pipeline.
Voices from the programme
The feedback from participants speaks volumes about the programme’s impact. Teachers shared their views:
“Huge thanks to you and the team at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, what a truly brilliant day it was for so many reasons!”
“Just wanted to say the teacher encounter was amazing and very well planned and delivered. Thank you for the opportunity.”
“I had the best day. It was such a breath of fresh air and so interesting. I honestly learnt so much!! Thank you for having me!”
These reflections highlight not only the value of the experiences, but also the enthusiasm and appreciation from the teachers who took part.
A collaborative success
The success of the Teacher Encounters programme would not have been possible without the commitment of our employer partners, who opened their doors and shared their expertise, and the dedication of teachers who embraced the opportunity to learn and engage. Each encounter was carefully planned and delivered to ensure meaningful, engaging experiences that went beyond observation – encouraging dialogue, exploration and genuine collaboration.
Opportunities were embraced on both sides: employers had the opportunity to introduce their business and industry to teachers, making clear links between the world of work and education. Teachers were able to meet a range of staff from each workplace, learning about employees’ roles, career paths, recruitment processes and industry tips and tricks from apprentices and graduates.
By continuing to strengthen the link between education and employment, Surrey Careers Hub is not only supporting teachers, but also helping to shape a more informed, confident and future-ready workforce for Surrey.
Businesses that would like to learn more about Surrey Careers Hub, and get involved in the work they do should visit our Business Surrey website.
