Education and Employer links – How do we make progress?

To Worcester this morning to speak at the launch of the Worcestershire LEP  Business Plan. A well thought out Plan with 4 clear Strategic Objectives: Promotion and Profile; Access to Finance; Employment and Skills and Planning, Development and Infrastructure. http://www.wlep.co.uk

Over 300 present to hear the Chairman – Peter Pawsey and Executive Director – Garry Woodman. Star of the show was a young food entrepreneur _ Miranda Ballard of Muddy Boots, who showed the power of social media in marketing a new business.

The issue that raised the most interest was the need to get employers involved with schools. For the last 20 years the refrain that ” we need to get more employers into schools to  explain the modern world of work” has been constant, yet we still search for solutions.

The answer may be at hand. Yesterday I met the Education and Employers Taskforce, who are running two national programmes: Speakers for Schools and Inspiring the Future. http://www.educationand employers.org   These programmes are gaining real traction and I would suggest provide a real strength on which to build. Also the fast growing Studio Schools network, with the focus on employability skills is now making real progress. http://www.studioschoolstrust.org

What is clear is that youth unemployment is a real and growing  socio-economic problem. The jobs are there as the huge influx and use of Eastern European migrant labour testifies. Too many of the young just are not equipped with then life skills that employers want. So yes we must get employers into schools, but this must be backed up with a system that relentlessly focuses on improving education standards and provides sanctions for those that will not engage in the labour market.

So yes we have to get Employers into schools and give young people a taste for the real world of work. However, they need to be given a realistic assessment of what jobs are out there and for which they have the skills to do.