Employer outreach emails

Using email to build and maintain employer relationships

Email is an important part of employer engagement, but it is most effective when it supports conversations rather than replaces them.

Different types of email are appropriate at different stages of the employer relationship. Some introduce your organisation following a warm referral; others follow up a telephone conversation, share additional information, invite employers to events or help maintain relationships over time.

The most effective employer emails are concise, relevant and tailored to the organisation you are contacting. Rather than trying to explain everything about T Levels or industry placements in one message, focus on providing the information that is most helpful at that stage of the relationship, and make the next step clear.

The examples in this resource are intended as adaptable templates rather than standard emails. They can be personalised to reflect your organisation, the employer you are contacting and the purpose of your communication.

Before you start

Before sending an email, consider:

• Why am I contacting this employer?
• What do I want them to do next?
• What information do they need at this stage?
• Have I tailored the email to reflect the employer and any previous conversations?
• Would a telephone call or meeting be a more effective way to continue the conversation?

Keeping your emails focused and relevant is more likely to encourage employers to engage and respond.

Download the resource

Employer outreach emails

This resource includes example emails for different stages of the employer engagement journey, including:

• following a warm introduction
• making first contact
• following up after a telephone conversation
• sharing examples of meaningful placement activity
• sharing employer case studies
• inviting employers to events
• reconnecting with employers after a period of inactivity.

These examples should be adapted to suit your own organisation, local employers and the stage of your relationship.

Related resources

You may also find these resources helpful:

• Starting employer conversations by telephone – practical guidance for building confidence when making first contact with employers.
• Employer Conversation Toolkit – preparing for conversations, understanding employer motivations and responding to questions.
• Mobilising your existing networks – making the most of colleagues, governors, alumni, suppliers and existing employer relationships to generate warm introductions
• Building and sharing impactful newsletters – maintaining employer engagement through regular communication.