Our brief encounter's lasting value

Feb 17 2009 by Sarah Green, The Journal

I SPENT the day before Valentine's day holed up in a romantic hotel discussing how to meet the perfect partner, take your relationships to the next level, survive tough times and make it last.

No, not a lonely hearts group, but a unique event exploring partnerships between the region’s business and education. Increasing collaboration between business and schools is high on the political agenda. In particular, academies and development of diplomas have placed business in a more central educational role.

Despite a plethora of initiatives, conferences and toolkits, many business/school relationships have been like short-lived affairs – brief interactions blighted by a lack of communication, misunderstanding of motives and a failure to make time for each other.

“Educational Excellence – Making it happen in the North East” was hosted by Schools NorthEast, the CBI and Business in the Community. Bringing schools and business leaders together in one room with one agenda enabled the development of a refreshingly joint approach based on mutual understanding.

Ideas flowed, contacts were made and the challenge was set to make the North East the benchmark for business/school partnerships. With companies such as Gentoo, Greggs and Northumbrian Water receiving national recognition and awards for fantastic education programmes, we are well on our way.

Benefits for our region are clear. Well conceived business engagement in schools is proved to raise the aspirations and attainment of young people and help them develop the employability skills they will need.

For businesses, as well as providing direct access to your supply chain of employees, working with schools can be a fantastic way to motivate and train your staff. In the doom and gloom of recession, keeping up morale can be a major challenge.

Research suggests involvement in such schemes improves staff retention and loyalty.

While the present focus of business is on coming through the downturn, if we are to succeed in future we must invest in young people now. Like a good marriage, partnerships between business and school require commitment that survives for better or worse.

Sarah Green is regional director CBI North East