The 157 Group has responded to a report published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) today, “Catch 16–24”, which reinforces the importance of work experience and calls on more employers to engage with schools and colleges.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “Everyone working in education knows that real contact with the world of work is a great boost, not just to young people’s knowledge of the workplace, but also to their self-confidence and potential to succeed. The technical and vocational courses on offer at further education colleges are designed specifically with that in mind, and with a high level of employer engagement.
“But this report rightly echoes the messages in our own report, “A New Conversation”, published last year with the Gazelle Group and UKCES, in which we called for more strategic relationships between employers and their local education providers. We need employers to feel they have a duty to be involved in developing the skills of the future workforce – this cannot be fulfilled simply by expecting the system to produce work-ready young people independently of their input.
“We urge all employers and their representatives to listen to the messages in today’s report and to engage with colleges, to help make the vision a reality for more young people. The 157 Group is ready to help any employers who are unsure about how they can get involved.”