Businesses encouraged back to school

Released 12/07/2010

Charity launches scheme to encourage bosses to visit local schools

Charity, the Education and Employers Taskforce, is planning the first ever national campaign for business leaders to visit state schools and colleges during the week of the 18 - 22 October 2010.

This ‘call to action' is a chance for bosses from private and public sector organisations to hear first-hand from headteachers and young people ages 5 - 19 about how they can actively help shape their motivation, skills, achievement and employability. This is more than work experience.

Taking part in Visit our Schools week is completely free to everyone and involves sparing just a few hours to visit a school/college in your locality.

Leaders from the worlds of education and business have united behind this campaign, including all the main teaching unions, school and college leadership bodies and employer representative bodies such as the British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Business, Institute of Directors and Trades Union Congress.

"Engaging directly with schools and colleges is one of the most effective ways in which employers can help shape education today to meet the skills needs of tomorrow. The IoD is fully behind this campaign," said Miles Templeman, director general of the Institute of Directors.

"There is much that school and business leaders can learn from each other. Visit our Schools provides a fast-track opportunity for everyone to expand their knowledge and skills. The BCC encourage their members to use this rare opportunity to learn about how they can engage directly with education to boost skills of both existing staff and potential young recruits," said David Frost, director general of the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Employers and schools working in partnership can enhance the learning experience of children and young people. The Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign is a great opportunity to bring together business leaders with teachers and pupils. Mutual support, co-operation and understanding between business leaders and schools will help to continue to ensure that young people have the knowledge and skills which they need for a successful adult life," added Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union.

"We're delighted to be supporting this campaign. There's huge scope for fruitful education partnerships with employers that can help pupils achieve their full potential and that's why we are encouraging school leaders to get involved," said Steve Munby, chief executive of the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services.

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