Networking (Scenario)

Your institution is invited to collaborate on a local skills competition. The coordinator asks for a teacher to liaise with companies to organize student placements. You have limited contacts in the sector and must decide how to proceed.

How do you build meaningful connections that strengthen your students’ opportunities and your school’s partnerships?

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

What do you do?
Choose one of the following options.

A. “I’ll send a general email to all companies from last year and wait for replies.”

B. “I’ll reach out to a few known contacts and ask them to handle it.”

C. “I’ll research potential partners, personalize invitations, and propose a short meeting to explore collaboration.”

D. “I’ll wait to see if another colleague volunteers.”

Exercise 2: Sorting

Arrange the actions in the right column in order, from the most effective to the least effective in developing partnerships. List them so that 1 represents the most effective action and 4 represents the least effective.

Action 1

Action 2

Action 3

Action 4

Forward a generic invitation email.

Send personalized thank-you messages to all contacts.

Attend local events and introduce your VET program.

Prepare a short pitch outlining benefits for the partner.

Exercise 3: Reflection question

How confident are you in initiating and maintaining professional relationships that support your learners’ growth and your institution’s goals?
Choose one of the following options.

A. Not at all confident

B. Slightly confident

C. Moderately confident

D. Confident

E. Fully confident