Teachers in Residence: Bringing Real-World Industry Experience into the Classroom

Published 13th March 2025

At the Design & Technology Association, we are committed to ensuring that design, engineering, and technology education in UK schools is engaging, high quality, and relevant to the modern world. One of the most effective ways we support teachers is by connecting them directly with industry through our Teachers in Residence programme. Sponsored by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, this initiative allows teachers to step out of the classroom and into the workplaces of leading UK businesses, gaining first-hand experience of how industry operates.

By taking part in a three-to-five-day placement, teachers develop a deeper understanding of the skills, knowledge, and attributes that employers are looking for, ensuring they can better prepare their students for future careers.

How the Programme Works

The Teachers in Residence programme places design and technology teachers inside design studios, engineering firms, manufacturing plants, and construction companies to experience industry in action. Over the course of their placement, teachers gain a 360-degree view of modern industry, shadowing professionals across different departments, learning about career pathways, and seeing first-hand how skills taught in the classroom apply to real-world jobs.

A typical placement includes:

• An introduction to the company, its ethos, and the sectors it operates in.
• Observing different job roles, helping teachers understand the variety of career pathways available to students.
• Hands-on experience where possible, giving teachers an immersive insight into industry practices.
• Opportunities to hear from employees, learning about their career journeys and the skills they use daily.

By the end of the placement, teachers return to their schools with enhanced knowledge, fresh insights, and stronger links to industry, allowing them to make lessons more engaging and career-focused.

Why This Matters for Schools and Students

The gap between classroom learning and industry expectations is something many teachers are keen to bridge. Teachers in Residence equips them with first-hand knowledge of current industry trends, ensuring they can deliver more relevant, skills-based learning to students. This means:

• Lessons become more engaging, as teachers can provide real-world examples of how skills are applied in industry.
• Students gain better career insights, helping them make more informed choices about their future.
• Schools strengthen links with businesses, opening doors to potential work experience, apprenticeships, and mentorship opportunities.

The Benefits for Businesses

For industry, Teachers in Residence is an opportunity to engage directly with education and help shape the future workforce. Businesses benefit by:

• Showcasing career opportunities and attracting future talent.
• Ensuring students develop the skills and attributes needed for their sector.
• Gaining insights into how young people learn and how best to engage with schools.
• Building lasting relationships with teachers, who can continue to promote career pathways within their classrooms.

Get Involved

Whether you are a teacher looking to gain industry experience or a business interested in hosting a placement, Teachers in Residence is a powerful opportunity to build stronger connections between education and employment.

To learn more or get involved, email amelia.wright@designtechnology.org.uk.