Member Article

NECC calls for greater business links with education

Ahead of forthcoming exam results, the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) is calling for greater links between education and business to help prepare young people for their future working lives.

A-Level results are released on Thursday, with GCSE results to follow next week.

NECC Policy Advisor, Helen Hayes, said: “Congratulations to everyone receiving A-Level results. Hopefully the hard work throughout the year has been rewarded with good grades.

“As young people assess their next move, it is important that vocational pathways such as apprenticeships are considered as they offer an increasingly attractive option to those seeking an alternative to university.

“With youth unemployment a long-standing problem in the UK, it is vital that people coming out of full-time education are equipped with the right skills to integrate into the regional workforce.”

Helen says there’s an increasing demand from training organisations to engage more with business.

She added: “Businesses create jobs and most want to work with young people to train and employ them.

“Likewise, there is an increasing appetite from schools, colleges and universities to engage with the business community.

“We need to strengthen these relationships if we are to make a real difference – with emphasis on the qualities that future employers will be looking for to shape their workforces.

“There are great initiatives across the North East which link education and business to give young people the best preparation to enter the workforce.

“NECC supports businesses and schools in their attempts to forge links and help strengthen the employability skills of young people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .