Engagement with educational institutions

🎓 Future-Ready Crawley - Building Pathways from Education to Employment

Uniting Business and Education to Empower the Next Generation

The Crawley Business Association (CBA) is committed to more than business today, we’re helping build the talent pipelines of tomorrow. By forming strategic partnerships with local schools, colleges, and universities, and Crawley College, we’re connecting education with enterprise, and students with opportunity.

This isn’t just about work experience, it’s about co-designing career pathways that are inclusive, practical, and built around real local demand.

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🎯 Our Mission: Talent Grows Here

Crawley is a borough of ambition, powered by one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the South East. By bringing business and education closer together, we:

• Prepare young people for meaningful local careers

• Address skills gaps in high-growth sectors

• Keep talent rooted in Crawley

• Help educators tailor learning to evolving industry needs

“When students can see a future in Crawley, they’re more likely to stay, build, and lead here.”
— Crawley Business Association

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🤝 How We Partner with Education Providers

🔹 Industry-Informed Curriculum Design

• Collaborating with Crawley College to shape modules that reflect today’s business environment

• Co-developing practical coursework and bootcamps in digital skills, logistics, creative industries, and entrepreneurship

• Promoting AI and innovation literacy across multiple education levels

🔹 Internship & Apprenticeship Pathways

• Hosting borough-wide placements and mentoring opportunities

• Encouraging CBA members to offer paid internships and apprenticeships for local students

• Supporting hybrid and flexible models to meet SME capacity

🔹 Enterprise & Career Exposure

• Running career fairs, employer meet-ups, and industry talks at partner schools

• Organising “day-in-the-life” business experiences for sixth-formers and college students

• Showcasing successful Crawley-born entrepreneurs to inspire young talent

🔹 Youth-Inclusive Events & Innovation Challenges

• Involving students in CBA AI Summits, cultural events, and tech hackathons

• Offering youth platforms at CBA Connect networking nights and member exhibitions

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🔍 Target Sectors for Pathway Growth

Our current focus aligns with Crawley’s economic priorities, including:

• Creative Industries & Digital Media

• AI, Technology, and Immersive Innovation

• Logistics, Warehousing, and Transport

• Hospitality, Retail & Events

• Green Construction & Sustainability

• Health & Social Care 

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📚 Current Partners

✔️ Crawley College

✔️ Young Crawley / Youth Parliament

✔️ Local Secondary Schools & Sixth Form Providers

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🧭 Why It Works

When local students are given:

• Access to real business insight

• Opportunities for applied learning and hands-on experience

• A visible career path within their borough

…we don’t just reduce unemployment, we build a stronger, smarter Crawley for all.

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📣 How to Get Involved

✅ Employers:

• Offer placements, mentoring, or site visits

• Contribute to curriculum feedback

• Co-host or sponsor student-facing events

✅ Educators:

• Connect with our Business-Education Taskforce

• Nominate student groups for partnership projects

• Embed CBA events into your enterprise calendar

✅ Students & Families:

• Attend our Careers in Crawley fairs

• Ask your school how to connect with CBA programs

• Explore apprenticeships with CBA member businesses

🔗 [Partner With Us on Education & Skills]

🔗 [Register as a CBA Talent Employer]

🔗 [Explore Student Pathways in Crawley]