The goal of education and training must be employment, not an annual debate over pass rates

Commenting ahead of the release of A-level exam results tomorrow (Thursday), Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Too much attention is focused on the annual ritual of exam results, and too little on whether our young people are getting the skills they need to succeed. In a tough economic climate and with the number of ‘Neets’ heading towards the one million mark, it’s more important than ever that Britain’s education and training systems work for learners and for businesses alike.

“Companies up and down the country tell us that too many young people are still leaving school, college or university without the tools needed to get into work. So rather than focus on A-level pass rates, councils, colleges and local businesses need to form a closer partnership – ensuring that employers can recruit locally, and that young people get the training they need to get ahead.”

Ends

Media Contact:

Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

• A better link between education, training and work outcomes is critical to Britain’s economic recovery. Companies want to recruit local young people but need an incentive to do so. More targeted training could provide that incentive.
• The number of young people aged 16-24 who are classed as ‘Neet’ now stands at 959,000 and is likely to increase further – making it all the more important to get young people into courses that help them get work, rather than courses that achieve national targets but don’t actually prepare them for the local job market.
• Chambers of Commerce are ideally placed to work with councils to ensure that vocational training is better targeted at local employers’ needs, and to encourage students to take up courses that reflect economic opportunities.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.