Finding the Right Balance
Can the education system meet the needs of business better in the future? The relationship between the two has not always been easy as both have strong views about the way this can be achieved. What everybody does know is that, in the global economy, it will be innovation, enterprise and higher productivity which will sustain the UK economy.
With CBI's latest forecast for the economy confirming fears that the UK is in for a greater slowdown than expected, the need for these skills and job-ready students is underlined. In our latest edition of INSIGHT we have talked to community and further education colleges and to the University of Chichester about how they prepare young people for the world of work. From the response, they all believe they are doing all they can to meet the needs of a 21st century workforce.
The views of companies are more mixed. These range from the extremes of home-grown students comparing unfavourably to Eastern Europeans in attitudes to work - to praise for the success of FE colleges' vocational education programmes. If you were to sum it up, you would cite the curate's egg.
The introduction of National Diplomas may encourage a wider uptake of vocational learning which will be positive. But one of the big gaps in understanding between business and educationalists is the perceptions of the basic skills of literacy and numeracy, good communications, team working and the right attitude. Business can be fairly criticised for grumbling about a lack of basic skills without necessarily being clear on what these are. Equally, business seems reluctant to proactively engage with schools and colleges.
I have always believed that if one is to devote 40 odd years to working one should set out to enjoy it. For schools it is important that young people are given good and realistic advice about career choices - businesses can and should help to achieve this by getting involved. Work experience is another area where businesses must play their part - and by using their younger employees to plan and host this they are far more likely to obtain a positive reaction. Schools however need to see work experience as a vitally important activity and brief the pupils on what they can expect. Work is not all about meeting celebrities - fortunately it can be far more rewarding if the right choices are made - the effort is definitely worth it for the employer and future employees.
If we are to raise skills, and ensure that schools and colleges provide the right kind of core material, then the better the dialogue between education and business the better. WSEP is working with its partners to see how this might be addressed.
Alistair Smith - WSEP Chief Executive
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