Wednesday 22 February 2012
“We must reinvigorate our schools and students with the skills that drive the economy,” said Mark Protherough, executive director, Learning Professional & Development, ICAEW, as he welcomed delegates to a Centre for Cities roundtable at Chartered Accountants Hall, on Wednesday (22 February).
This event builds on research published by Centre for Cities: Learning curve, schooling & skills for future jobs nd brings together education and training providers to discuss what role business should play in education and training.
The report, sponsored by ICAEW, shows that between 2007 and 2010 an average of almost 50% of pupils in cities left the education system without A* to C grades in GCSE Maths and English. This not only has implications for the future of young people but also directly impacts on the economies of those cities they live in as businesses do not have access to the pool of skills they need.
Mark continued: “The nation’s future depends upon our willingness today to create a new educational partnership, one that raises academic expectations of all children and provides them with the skills, tools and resources needed to help them compete successfully. If the UK is not just to compete, but also to succeed in the global environment, we must incentivise and support our schools and students with the skills that drive our economy.”
Today’s breakfast brings together 30 business leaders and senior voices in education and training, including Gordon Marsden MP Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills. They will debate the role business should play in education, whether the balance between vocational and academic subjects is right and whether training providers are adapting to the changing needs of the labour market.
“As business leaders there can be few, if any, more crucial issues than the way we educate the workforce of tomorrow. The students in today's education system are the future leaders and policy makers of tomorrow. They will comprise our workforce and help define our economy."
"Everyone here today knows only too well that the education they receive over the coming years must provide them with the skills necessary to realize their economic and personal goals.”
The debate will be followed by a Q&A discussion which is chaired by Andrew Carter, Director of Policy and Research at Centre for Cities.
Media enquiries:
Contact Howard Rhoades, ICAEW press office, on 020 7 920 8616 or email howard.rhoades@icaew.com