“Let’s teach children about world of work from age of three”, said Wales’ education minister

Children should have the chance to learn about the world of work from the age of three onwards, Welsh Education Minister Jeremy Miles told business leaders in Wrexham.

The call came at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) where he said there was an “urgent need” to strengthen links between local businesses, schools and colleges.

The group is made up of businesses and professionals who work together to promote regional prosperity and shine a light on the enterprise and expertise in the region.

Mr Miles told attendees it was time to rethink the conveyor belt strategy where all children from an early age onwards are urged to set their sights on achieving a university place.

“The focus is too much on moving pupils up to further education and securing university degrees,” he said.

“While there is a clear place for academia we are losing sight of vocational, and technical requirements, and the value of practical skills-based apprenticeships.”

Robert Williams; GHP, Louise Harper, Jeremy Miles MS Welsh Government Minister for Education, Lesley Griffiths MS, Ian Edwards and Paul Ffoulkes, Barclays

Mr Miles explained the Welsh Government was drawing up a new national curriculum for Wales with significant strides forward starting this year and being fully rolled out by 2026.

Changes will include new GCSE qualifications in subjects such as engineering and manufacturing.

He said a key to making this successful was to forge consistently strong engagement between employers, schools and colleges and this should be across the board from early years through to college-level.

This could be achieved by regular school visits to factories and offices, business representatives consistently liaising with and giving talks and demonstrations in schools, more comprehensive work experience schemes, and better education of teachers about the real life skills needed in the today’s workplace.

Mr Miles was one of two guest speakers at the WBP breakfast meeting and his blueprint for transforming Welsh education was endorsed by Wrexham Senedd member, Lesley Griffiths.

Ms Griffiths, who is Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, invited schools to arrange for pupils to visit the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff so children can see government in action.

“We are after all making important decisions which affect their future. I think it is important for school groups to come and see how those decisions are made.”

She said she felt proud to see that Wrexham was undergoing an important resurgence after being put on the global map thanks to Wrexham AFC’s takeover by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

She said: “There is an increasing sense that now is our time. Things are tough and people are feeling the pinch financially but we must not forget that there is still great hope for the future.

“Wrexham and North Wales have a wealth of resources which we can tap into now and strategise for the long term.”

The meeting was chaired by Ian Edwards, a leading member of Wrexham Business Professionals, who said: “We’re hugely grateful to both Jeremy Miles and Lesley Griffiths for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak this morning.

“The message about strengthening the links between education and the world of work is an important one and we must play our part in making sure this happens.”

Fellow member Louise Harper added: “It is encouraging to see that the Welsh Government have adopted a pragmatic approach in matching the curriculum to needs of business and industry.

“It will ensure that young people have a head start in their fledgling careers whilst at the same time ensuring that employers can tap into a ready made pool of suitably trained job candidates.”