Back to college for businesses

Citation

(2000), "Back to college for businesses", Education + Training, Vol. 42 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2000.00442cab.007

Back to college for businesses

Keywords Partnering, Colleges

Businesses and colleges see the advantages of staff from industry working on placement in further-education colleges, but too few take part, according to research by the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA). There is a systematic approach to placements from schools into industry, and colleges need something similar. The research report, Business Associates in Colleges, shows that only 5.7 per cent of colleges had people from industry on placement in the last year. Despite the limited number of placements, both businesses and colleges see the advantages. The most important ones for businesses are an improved understanding of education and qualifications (31 per cent) and the personal development of the individual on placement (27 per cent). College principals think that the most important advantages are improved business links (31 per cent) and curriculum enhancement (28 per cent).

Chris Hughes, FEDA Chief Executive, said:

The new learning and skills council will put an emphasis on education preparing people for employment. To do this effectively, colleges are going to have teaching staff with up-to-date industrial experience and solid links with business. Staff exchanges between business and colleges are the most effective way of ensuring both these new imperatives.