§ Mr. ArbuthnotTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Government have for supporting local education business partnerships.
§ Mr. HowardI am pleased to announce, on behalf of myself and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, that my Department has today issued a prospectus inviting training and enterprise councils to apply for funds to launch and extend local education business partnerships in collaboration with local education authorities and others.
Partnerships will be able to use the funds provided through TECs to support work experience for students and teachers, business visits to schools, science and technology projects and a wide range of innovatory activities bringing benefits to both education and business.
I am looking to TECs, local education authorities and other community organisations to build partnerships which help to raise the aspirations and achievements of students in education and training, of all ages or abilities and which contribute to our future prosperity.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland will make separate announcements about their arrangements for partnerships.