The Chairman of Gleneagles golf and spa resort, Peter Lederer,
today called for a paradigm shift in relations between industry and
education, which supports the approach outlined in the Scottish
Government's recent consultation paper on reforming post-16
education.
Mr Lederer was speaking at a Skills Development Scotland
workshop at the Scottish Learning Festival, designed to examine the
framework currently in place to foster close links between
education and industry and define where there is room for
improvement.
Mr Lederer said: "Doing things the way they've always been done
is no longer an option. There's an urgent need for new thinking in
this area and for industry to meet education halfway, with strong
support from government.
"I believe strong leadership in industry is needed to identify
and nurture new talent and that includes reaching out to education
in a more structured, coordinated way. If we are able to give
educationalists a realistic view of the world of work then they'll
be so much more engaged with the issues - not least rising
expectations among consumers globally.
"Only yesterday, the Scottish Government confirmed tourism's
position as central to Scotland's economic recovery. That pulls
into sharp focus the need for strong partnerships where there is
wholesale commitment to achieving a level of excellence that will
assure Scotland's competitiveness."
Mr Lederer went on to outline examples of best practice in links
between industry and education, and to invite comments from the
floor on the way
forward.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is Scotland's skills body
responsible for creating a more skilled and economically
competitive Scotland by helping individuals realise their full
potential, supporting employers to be more successful through
skills development and working with partners to enhance Scotland's
sustainable economic development.
SDS is responsible for delivering a number of training
programmes including Get Ready for Work to give young people
essential employability skills and the confidence to find work, and
Modern Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship is work-based learning - a way for
individuals to work, train and get paid all at the same time - and
is winning increasing acclaim from industry.
Mr Lederer comments: "Modern Apprenticeships by their very
nature produce employees who are skilled in a specific area of
expertise and drilled in the corporate culture. The benefits to the
individual and to business are immense.""