§ 36. Mr. Whitneyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress she has made in her policy to encourage the education system better to meet the needs of industry.
§ Mr. OakesProgress is apparent on several fronts.
There is growing liaison between the education service and industry, and many current initiatives are directed to this end, especially in the field of school-industry liaison.
124WDES circular 14/77 was concerned with local education authorities' arrangements for the school curriculum and included questions about schools and industry. My right hon. Friend will soon be issuing a report on authorities' responses to this circular, which will form the basis for further discussions with representatives of the education service, of employers and of trades unions.
In higher and further education, there are many encouraging signs. Curricular development in institutions of all types should have the effect of making courses a better foundation for a career in industry. A particular example at first degree level is the enriched engineering courses to which the Government have given encouragement. Quantitative indicators which might be singled out for mention are the rising numbers of applications for entry to first degree science and technology courses, the rising numbers and proportions of graduates entering industry, and the buoyant demand for post-experience management courses.