Business issues

Education

The UK's economic prosperity depends upon schools and children's services that develop skilled and motivated young people who can prosper in the workplace

Overview

Equipping young people with the skills they need to learn effectively and make the right life choices requires an education system focused on achieving the best outcomes for all the UK's young people.

Good education means not only good school buildings but effective school leadership, motivated teachers, positive links with employers and community groups and support systems to help young people at risk of exiting the education system early.

Business has a clear stake in supporting an education system that creates the employees of the future, and already plays an active role in delivering it. Employers do not expect schools to churn out job-ready students. But they do expect young people to have the skills, capability and attitude necessary to succeed in the modern workplace.

UK schools, working with business, will have to evolve and adapt to a world of work increasingly characterised by change, greater competition and flexibility, to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Achieving that requires new approaches to delivering education and children's services: