Ecosystem

Collaboration skills are central to our curriculum. We’re actively practising our own by connecting, convening and platforming the wider communities who share our mission.

The First Hand Learning Venture

A collective of a dozen practitioners drawn from industry, universities, local government and non-profits, meeting regularly to share and drive progress in our respective learning programmes.

First Hand Platform

We’ll platform anyone who shares our mission to unlock places for their learning potential. We’re kicking this off with a collaborative Factory Tours map – a fun way to think about how we engage with the world of material production.

The LEVERS Project

First Hand is part of a wide European collaboration made up of 11 organisations and 9 projects. Each project is a Learning Venture, with their own collectives and learning programmes, responding to local climate challenges.

We’re not the only ones who believe in the power of place for learning and exchange. A sustainable world relies on collaboration – this isn’t just our view, it’s shared by the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the Confederation of British Industry* and many more. In business this means closer connectivity and, critically, sharing best practice. Educational conventions and public engagement practices also recognise this.

  • Practical learning, such as project-based learning, inquiry-based learning and problem-based learning is as effective in supporting learning as traditional methods.
  • School trips, site visits, internships, work placement, shadowing, extracurricular activities, field work, community projects – all are part of the education ecosystem and have a high learning value.
  • In Apprenticeships 80% of the time is spent on the job, with only 20% off-the-job learning with a college or training provider. A recent review has called for more community and cohort based activity to support Apprentices engagement and potential for success.

  • There’s growing interest in getting behind the scenes insights into manufacturing, with Vogue Business naming behind the scenes factory tours as Gen Z’s new Tiktok obsession in May 2024
  • Make UK  now organise a day for manufacturers across the UK to open their doors to the public for behind the scenes exploration of their facilities. 
  • LVMH Houses opened their doors for the public to discover the craftsmanship and creativity of thousands of artisans like watchmakers or shoemakers.
  • London’s annual Open House Festival sees buildings open their doors to the public, including industrial and manufacturing sites like the Barking & Dagenham Regeneration Trail or the Square Root Factory.

One good way to learn something new is through specific examples rather than abstractions and generalities.

– Donella Meadows, Thinking in systems

Factory tours maps

Have a look at our map which records existing opportunities to get behind the scenes in industrial environments – and its not all breweries and car factories! Find a factory tour near you and build your own learning trip, or read a blog post which discusses the heritage of factory visits.

Solutions to global problems are within our grasp – by reimagining cooperation and uniting for a better world.

– Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

*Sources: Commerciality and Sustainability: How can they be aligned?, CBI, 25 April 2024
Why industry collaboration is necessary for a sustainable future, World Economic Forum, 17 March 2023