Skills Board Backs CBI’s Warning to Government
15th September, 2010
The Plymouth Employment and Skills Board (ESB) has backed the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) recent warning to the Government to ensure students leave schools “job-ready”.
Plymouth ESB have welcomed the ‘Fulfilling Potential’ report which was published last week. In it, the CBI have raised major concerns that school leavers are not being given the correct skills and abilities that employers increasingly need.
Dr Graham Stirling, Chair of Plymouth Employment and Skills Board said: “Employers across the UK have been saying for a long time that school leavers are not equipped with the right skills such as problem-solving and team building, when they leave school.
“The report draws attention to the need to encourage more students into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, (STEM) which is something we wish to see here in Plymouth.
“We have STEM Ambassadors who promote careers in Science and Engineering in schools and there are companies who work with local schools through work placements and Apprenticeships.
“However, we need to see far more commitment to these subjects and encouragement from the government to help schools and colleges tackle both skills and subject development.”
STEM Ambassadors are people already working in industry who work with schools and colleges to encourage young people to take up these subjects as careers.
Dr Stirling called on more employers to get involved with schools, colleges and training providers. He continued: “We can lobby the government and call for changes to the education system, but if we want to have more influence over what is taught in our schools we need to get involved at a local level too.
“Employers have a better opportunity than ever before to get involved with schools, apprenticeships and even with graduate placements through the University. Inspiring young people to undertake careers in STEM-related industries means giving them a glimpse of how exciting, diverse and lucrative they can be.
“Plymouth ESB acts as a bridge between training providers and the workplace and we encourage employers to get come forward, air their concerns and get ‘hands-on’ with their local schools.”
ENDS
