The future brings with it many new challenges for business in South Lanarkshire, none more so than in the provision of a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
The teenagers of today will be the workforce of tomorrow and it's important they are equipped with the necessary skills they need to meet the demands of business in the millennium.
That's where the Lanarkshire Education Business Partnership (LEBP) comes in - it brings business and education together to their mutual benefit.
Stuart Macfarlane, manager of the LEBP, said: "The future of Lanarkshire's economy is ever more dependent on young people with initiative, inventiveness and the necessary skills. The workplace is a rapidly changing environment and our success will require young people having an understanding of the vital skills and attitudes necessary for this ever changing environment.
"Lanarkshire Education Business Partnership is a critical agent in promoting this message and helping young people make the transition between school and the world of work.
"Partnership is crucial. The engagement of both business and education is vital in order for education to understand business and vice versa. LEBP provides a focus as well as a coherent and effective framework to achieve this goal - to assist in the process of producing well educated, motivated young people who are flexible, creative and enterprising......Lanarkshire's workforce of the future."
So what are the benefits?
Business gets a chance to influence the development and implementation of the curriculum; gain greater awareness of educational developments; and have the opportunity to develop their own staff and improve their motivation through participation in Education link programmes.
Young people will have a clearer understanding of the world of work, be more motivated to learn and obtain qualifications, and have more confidence in themselves.
Teachers benefit from improved insight into the needs of industry and can relate these back to the classroom. They also develop and improve personal skills.
Stuart said: "All businesses have something to offer and to gain irrespective of size or sector. You can become involved in many of our link activities or support the partnership by donating equipment or materials to schools, seconding staff or offering advice and help to increase pupil and teacher awareness of your industry. The size of your contribution is entirely up to you."
Interested in becoming involved?
If you are interested in becoming involved in the link activities, there are a number of areas you can take part in. These are a few examples:
Curriculum based activities
For example, in Higher Grade Technological Studies pupils must undertake an industry project involving several visits to a company to examine an industrial process. Can you help by allowing schools your time and your company's time?Young Engineers Club
These clubs offer young people aged 14-18 the chance to develop a better understanding of engineering through a programme of practical activities. Organised by the Scottish Council Development & Industry (SCDI), the clubs are based in local colleges and training organisations. Engineers, can you give up some of your valuable time to help out at the club or allow industrial visits to your premises for club members or provide materials?Work experience and work shadowing
Giving young people experience in the workplace or the opportunity to shadow someone in a senior post. Can you offer a placement or consider your staff or yourself for Work Shadowing?Enterprise activities
Includes the Mini-Enterprise in Primary Schools Project and the Young Enterprise project for secondary school pupils. You can support Mini-Enterprise by offering help if approached and sponsoring companies and advisers are always needed for Young Enterprise.Teacher placements
Involve teachers in a short attachment to business - would you like your company to be involved?Further and higher education links
Such as the Professional, Industrial, Commercial Updating (PICKUP) Initiative. You can work closely with further and higher education establishments, making best use of their resources and expertise.Classroom activities
Working with pupils in the classroom. Can you provide workshop leaders or group advisers to work with pupils?For further information on how you can become involved in the Lanarkshire Education Business Partnership, contact Stuart on 01236 762485.