§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he collects about the number and scope of education and business partnership schemes initiated by local education authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe Department does not collect detailed information on local schemes of industry/education co-operation but there are many schemes of great diversity, and increasing attention is being paid to links with industry and commerce, in schools and particularly in the further and higher education sectors. All local education authorities are encouraged to designate an official with special responsibility for school/industry links, and there are numerous examples of local firms providing practical help in support of work in the classroom.
Links with employers are emphasised in a number of DES-supported national programmes including the school curriculum industry project, the technical and vocational educational initiative, the micro electronics programme, the lower attaining pupils programme, the college-employer links project, PICKUP and the local collaborative projects. My right hon. Friend welcomes the active support given to such co-operation by the CBI, TUC, chambers of commerce and other organisations, and the attention given to such co-operation by the Audit Commission.
In higher education, science/research parks, the teaching company scheme and other grant schemes run by the Science and Engineering Research Council with DES support, Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) and the marketing and liaison work of the industrial units maintained by higher education establishments are further examples of co-operative activity between education and industry.
The trend of increased partnership is welcome and necessary and the Government are doing all they can to encourage this.