Lincolnshire Co-operative Ltd, Branston Community College Partnership

Education is a vital part of the co-operative business model that looks to create a virtuous circle. By building understanding of the Co-operative mission, Lincolnshire Co-operative aims to encourage customer patronage and feedback profits to help achieve that mission. Against this mission the business objectives of their partnership with Branston Community College are to embed the Co-operative model in citizenship and business and enterprise teaching, to raise awareness as a local employer and to provide opportunities for employee development.

In meeting these business objectives Lincolnshire Co-operative aims to support the young people of Branston Community College to fulfil their potential in business and enterprise by enhancing the attractiveness of the subject area. Their approach has been to provide students with practical learning opportunities supported by the expertise and real-life experience of employees across a range of sectors and disciplines.

The key mechanisms supporting the partnership are The Partnership Steering Group, including representatives from the College and Lincolnshire Co-operative, and the Business and Enterprise Co-ordinator, a dedicated post funded by the Partnership which meets the recommendations of the National Framework, 2008.

Key benefits to date include measured improvements in Lincolnshire Co-operative customers’ understanding of the co-operative model, improvements in employee perceptions and increases in the take up of business and vocational courses offered at the college.