Benefitting from links to business

PARTNERSHIPS between educational institutions and all kinds of business organisations are vital for the future success of the UK economy.

Schools at every level, from primary through to secondary, besides sixth forms, further education colleges and higher education establishments, can all benefit from close links with companies in all spheres of industry and commerce, from motor cars to accountancy.

Business-education partnerships may involve entire school boards and hundreds of students. Others pair private partners with a single class or individual students. Business-education partnerships serve business and industry by providing activities such as in-service training to employees, use of facilities, student directed projects, software development or marketing research. They also serve to strengthen instruction in academic skills and to enrich the educational process through the talents and ideas of the personnel of participating businesses. There are hundreds of activities in which businesses and schools can engage. These may include – workshops, conferences, tours, exchange programs, classroom visits, assemblies, workplace visits, science fairs, guest speakers, seminars and presentations.

Work experience programs can provide young people with hands-on experience of the workplace, while other ways in which business can assist schools and their students are internships, tutoring, skills training, career development activities, mentoring, job–shadowing, apprenticeships, and on–the-job training.

Teacher development and training are also valuable in transferring workplace skills to the classroom and, of course, financial assistance by way of scholarships or prizes for outstanding students all help to bring education and business together.

Work experience programs can provide young people with hands-on experience of the workplace.