Inception why did we create connect? The day, pen, paper, spreadsheets, word docs and emails became a hindrance……………..

1. Inception why did we create connect?
The day, pen, paper, spreadsheets, word docs and emails became a hindrance……………..
As many will know I say we are not software developers, when the reality is we are. However, I do like to
make clear to customers and allied professionals that our primary products include work experience and
careers advice delivery models which educational providers contract CE to plan, manage and deliver for
cohorts of students. CE was incorporated 10 years ago and Connect has been in development and actively
used for 6 years, the 4 years prior to Connect was a period of time in which the volume of Schools,
Colleges and students CE supported grew rapidly. This presented us with a conundrum and head ache,
paperwork within the office began pile up, spreadsheets became intangible, resources and staffing hours
wasted on lengthy emails updating educational providers on student progress.
We needed a management and tracking software which would allow CE to succinctly report the progress
and performance of all work-related activities within a study programme. Furthermore, allow
School/College staff unlimited access to live data and statistics regarding the wider careers model.
Time to go shopping!
We researched, sifted and explored to no avail, there was careers software out there but nothing that met
our needs. What did we do, well realisation ensued, we are thought leaders regarding the hands-on
aspect of provision. And As experts and accomplished providers of careers advice, work experience,
traineeship and other work-related activities we had a clear understanding of what we needed.
One ring to control them all, or in this case once piece of software to manage all provision.
Let’s create our own Software, what do we need?
This was far easier than it sounded, we had a clear vision of what we needed based on testimonials from
staff and customers, and as co-founders we are driven to develop the finest products for our clients.
The list! What do we need that is going to enhance staffing, resources and finance?
Software Features – the shopping list.
• The ability to succinctly manage work experience programmes on mass
• The ability to complete careers action plans and report on destinations
• The ability store and search organisational database
• The ability to complete risk management processes
• The ability to collate and report employer feedback
• The ability to collate and report student feedback
As you can imagine the list was lengthy! These things normally are before they have been costed for
development.
We needed a developer, and as with most things in life it’s not what you know it’s who you know. We were
very fortunate to be an acquaintance of the director of Human, a software development company who
have been developing software for customers such as Jaguar and Travis Perkins. Human have been our
software developers since inception and have guided us through every step of the journey. For those who
like facts we have completed:
• 6 major development updates.
• 3 User Interface face lifts.
• May/June is product development planning
• July/August is coding and testing for deployment for the new academic year
• We complete minor changes and updates all year
• Monday morning is our weekly meeting with Human

2. Launch and impact measures
Although created for internal management of CE work experience programmes, which has transformed
our capabilities, enhanced our communications and reduced wasted time on administration duties. The
ability to succinctly manage large volumes of students has allowed us to market the software to allied
services such as Colleges which have quickly realised the benefits of using the Connect Software.
Product feedback and testimonials from customers who have brought the software as a standalone
product have reported the same benefits for staff using Connect to manage and track work experience
and careers programmes. Furthermore, report:
• Integral indicator for performance management of departments, areas, courses.
• Essential reporting tool for Ofsted Audits and Funding applications
• Staff performance and progress assessments.
• Enables key performance indicators.
• Improved employer engagement.
• Assists evaluation and planning of the study programme.
• Wider Careers Model Management and Tracking.
• Key data in shaping the curriculum.
The Connect software has enabled educational providers to enhance their study programme by
simplifying, organising and tracking progress. Educational providers have experienced the same benefits
that have allowed CE to improve delivery models, expand company growth exponentially and ensure
clear and concise data is available to all staff 24/7 via any laptop or mobile device.
The Future
As highlighted we are continually evolving Connect to develop new and exciting features in addition to
enhancing the user interface. Over the last 6 years we have created a vast story board of new features
that have been requested by our own staff and customers to improve the functionality of the system.
The systems original mandate was to assist educational staff to manage and track work experience and
careers programmes, we will continue to enhance these features. However, we have additional features
that engage students and organisations in the process, and it is this area that we have some exciting
new developments in progress. In addition to a 4th update to the user interface to allow simplified
access to features and data.
I hope this helps to provide a background picture of Changing Education and Connect.
Get in touch if you want to discuss in further detail.
Kind Regards
Stephen Hackney
Co-founder and Director