Government launches Education and Employers Taskforce

Leading business and education experts joined forces yesterday (15 Oct) to launch an independent charity aimed at increasing education-employer partnerships.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Ed Balls, Secretary for Schools, unveiled the Education and Employers Taskforce to give more people an opportunity to gain experience and skills for the world of work.

Mr Balls said: “The Education and Employers Taskforce is a fantastic new charity working to strengthen the partnerships between business and education. These partnerships make a real difference to young people, offering them the crucial skills and experience they need to prepare for the world of work.

“Employers also have a lot to gain; they will be helping to build a skilled future workforce that is interested and trained in their industries.”

The Education and Employers Taskforce will be co-chaired by Bob Wigley, chairman of Yell Group, and Anthony Salz, executive vice-chairman of NM Rothschild.

A Partnership Board and a Board of Trustees, sourced from an “unrivalled” array of stakeholders, will also support the Taskforce.

Members of which include CBI director general Richard Lambert, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber and Sir John Rose, chief executive of Rolls-Royce.

Lord Mandelson said: “It’s important that schools and businesses come together in this way to help our young people strengthen their skills, gain experience of the workplace and improve their employability.

“These partnerships between schools, colleges and universities are vital if we are to equip young people with what they need to get on. I’m glad that so many employers are choosing to back young Britain in this way and wish the taskforce every success.”

Yesterday also saw the launch of a new group of Diploma Employer Champions, who support and drive the long-term involvement of employers in the Diploma.

The leading industry insiders will help the Taskforce generate more work placement opportunities for Diploma learners within their sectors. They will also play a key role in promoting a greater understanding of what the Diploma has to offer businesses.

The new Diploma Employer Champions include:

• Brendon Riley, chief executive of IBM UK
• Chris (Christine) Mayer, chief executive of Her Majesty’s Court Service
• James Wates, Wates Construction
• Ren Kapur, Chartered Institute of Marketing and young entrepreneur
• Will Butler Adams, managing director of Brompton Bicycles, representing small and medium enterprises