§ 85. Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in encouraging links between schools and local industry and commerce.
§ 88. Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by his Department to improve links between education and industry.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthGood progress is being made in encouraging links between schools and local industry and commerce. Preliminary analysis of a recent DES survey indicates that around 90 per cent. of secondary schools now have such links.
The Department is involved with others in a range of initiatives designed to assist in the establishment of links between schools and industry. In particular, it publishes guides to good practice and selectively funds particular 215W projects and organisations. Funding for teacher training in this area is made available to local education authorities through the LEA training grant scheme.