25 February 2009
Government and City leaders work with finance firms and others
to back education - for the future and bottom line
Children’s Secretary Ed Balls meets senior City and business
figures at the Guildhall on Wednesday 25 February to discuss how
financial firms and related businesses are supporting education -
in ways that could serve as a model for others nationwide.
All the firms at the meeting have well-established links with
schools as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility
programmes. They will discuss good practice with the Minister and
explore what barriers to business involvement need to be overcome
in the battle to improve skills.
Alongside the event, the Department for Children, Schools and
Families and the City of London Corporation are launching a new
handbook of practical tips and case studies to help businesses help
schools.
The “Inspiring the Workforce of Tomorrow” guide showcases a wide
range of ways businesses can get involved: from sponsoring an
Academy, through employees helping children with reading/mentoring,
to offering work placements and internships.
Download the report
The Rt Hon Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools
and Families said:
“These are tough times for our economy and businesses and this
is precisely the right time to ensure we are all investing in the
next generation so we have a skilled workforce in years to
come. I have seen all round the country brilliant examples of
businesses working with schools to make a real and positive
difference to young people and bring education to life. This
is something I want to see more of and I welcome the City of London
Corporation’s enthusiastic and far-sighted support for local
schools and learners.
“I am encouraged that so many leaders from businesses across the
country are keen to be involved and already realise the enormous
benefits that going into a school and working with children can
actually bring both personally and professionally.
“The City has a long history in the field of education - from
City and Guilds to its involvement with Academies, to offering
volunteers, visits and workplace experience to nearby
schools. I look forward to learning from their
experience and taking forward this ambitious shared agenda to
benefit more young people.”
Sir Michael Snyder, of the City of London Corporation, said:
"As these detailed case studies show, the financial and
businesses service sector has developed some strong experience in
this field which could serve as a model nationwide. Now is the time
to improve skills to ensure that the UK has a world-class workforce
as the recovery comes. We are building the brains of the future
today - and a key part of that is helping young people develop
confidence is themselves and the choices they make."
Ends
Notes to editors
Press enquiries: Please contact Laura Citron at the City of
London Corporation on 020 7332 1835 or
laura.citron@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
"Inspiring the workforce of tomorrow: helping your business to
engage with education" is published by the City of London
Corporation and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
You can download a copy here:
/corporateresponsibility).
The City of London Corporation provides local authority services
for the Square Mile business district, helps support London (and
the UK-based financial services industry) in its role as a
world-leading financial and business centre, and provides a number
of other high-quality and high-profile services for wider London
and the UK. It has a 500-year history of providing
high-quality education, currently manifested in our strong support
for Academies. See:
- Three City of London Academies in Southwark, Islington
(co-sponsored by City University) and Hackney (co-sponsored by
KPMG, will open in September 2009).
- Sir John Cass's Foundation Primary School, the City's state
primary school, was awarded full marks in its recent Ofsted
inspection.
- City of London School, City of London School for Girls and City
of London Freemens' School
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- City University was founded by the Corporation, the Lord Mayor
is Chancellor
The City of London Corporation supports Corporate Responsibility
in City Businesses. See:
- Heart of the City, an independent charity which helps
businesses develop a Corporate Responsibility programme
- City Action, a free brokerage service matching City workers to
volunteering opportunities in the City fringes
- Local Procurement Project, helps City businesses to support
SMEs in the City Fringes by buying locally
- The Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards, annual awards recognise
excellence in Corporate Community Involvement
The City of London Corporation supports regeneration in
neighbouring boroughs:
- City Bridge Trust makes grants of £15 million a year to
charities helping Londoners
- Regeneration Partnerships with 17 London boroughs for long-term
economic regeneration
- Training and employment support to help local people get jobs
in the Square Mile through over 20 specifically targeted
projects
- Raising aspirations of young people in City fringes with
projects such as visits to businesses, mentoring, careers workshops
and business masterclasses.