HC Deb 15 March 1989 vol 149 cc407-8
15. Mr. Stevens

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps his Department has taken to improve links between industry and schools.

Mr. Forth

My Department has a keen interest in promoting partnership between business and schools. Last year we launched the enterprise and education initiative, which is an ambitious programme that will extend the benefits of partnership activity to all schools. Working with organisations already active in the partnership area, DTI's 145 local advisers on enterprise and education will approach employers to ensure that there are places for all pupils to have at least two weeks' work experience before leaving school. In addition, we are setting up a programme under which 10 per cent. of teachers will each year be given the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the world of business. My Department also supports much other partnership activity, including initial teacher training, both on a national basis and through our regional office network.

Mr. Stevens

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. I am sure that he will appreciate that in constituencies which, like mine, are sharing in the resurgence of business prospects in the west midlands, we are very conscious that the future of business and of students depends on understanding and contact between them. In particular, it is important that the links between industry and education should start, not at secondary school, but at primary school. In that context, would my hon. Friend care to say a little more about the teacher placement programme, which has an important contribution to make?

Mr. Forth

My hon. Friend has put the matter in context. Arguably, one of the most important challenges that we face is to set up a dialogue and an understanding between those involved in education and those involved in wealth creation, for the obvious reason that we want to motivate teachers and pupils alike to understand the world of business and to want participate in it. The initiative that we have launched will be a major step in that direction. On the teacher placement project, I can report to my hon. Friend that a recent very favourable report on a pilot scheme that we have been conducting has suggested mechanisms that we might develop to bring us closer to the ambitious target that we have set for encouraging participation by teachers in the business world.

Mr. Frank Haynes

Is the Minister aware that there used to be a first-class link between the mining industry and schools in my constituency? Is he aware that that link has been cut and will he go with me to Hobart house and kick the backside of Sir Robert Haslam to get that link restored, in the interest of young people who want to work in the mining industry?

Mr. Forth

The hon. Gentleman has made a valuable point. I hope that all those involved in the coal industry and every other industry will become increasingly aware of how important it is to educate both teachers and pupils throughout the education system in the importance of industries such as the coal mining industry. It will be in the interests of everyone for people to talk to one another, for those in the mining industry to visit schools and for those in education to visit mines so that that understanding can be maximised and the talent, skills and enthusiasm of young people will be attracted into that important industry.