Partnerships between schools and businesses, a key issue for firms across Swindon and Wiltshire, can have significant benefits, according to the results of a national survey of education chiefs and company bosses.
Some 3,500 teaching staff and business leaders took part in the research run by the British Chambers of Commerce – with the vast majority (88%) of education leaders saying employer engagement had led to improved outcomes for their pupils. 
However, there were still issues to overcome on both sides, the research showed – a finding echoed by business leaders in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Other benefits included increased motivation in lessons (73%) and better careers information (53%). But among the factors holding back further improvements, businesses cited staff time (53%) and cost (38%) while 42% of educators identified a lack of interest from business.
Business West – the region’s largest business organisation and a member of the British Chambers of Commerce – said with youth unemployment still way above average unemployment and pre-recession levels, the research showed more had to be done to strengthen engagement between business and education.
Business West managing director Phil Smith, pictured, said: “Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last month we highlighted that the skills gap is a national embarrassment and called for more government intervention to address this issue.
“There are already some great examples of effective school and business partnerships across the South West, but this survey shows that a greater push is needed from both sides if we are to overcome the barriers which both education and business face.
“It’s time for business and education to work together and make skills shortages a thing of the past.”
Ian Larrard, director of Business West’s Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative, added: “Businesses can only perform as well as the people that work in them, and the skills gap between education and employers is acting as a drag on our long term growth.
“Great progress has been made here in Swindon and Wiltshire. Projects such as the University Technical Colleges and the Swindon Jobs Fest careers event staged in April this year, and to be repeated next February, prove that we are heading in the right direction, but this survey shows that there is still work to be done.
“I believe more schools than ever appreciate the importance of forging relationships with local companies. Staff time constraints are a very real factor with less time to cope with any activity outside the core subject teaching activities. Heads and senior teams must take up the mantle and undertake the liaison of school with businesses.
“Equally businesses have a very real part to play, acknowledging that they too have constraints on their time. However, it cannot be stressed enough how vital it is for both students and businesses to work closely together for their mutual advantage.”
