Taskforce to strengthen links between schools and employers

The Education and Employers Taskforce, an independent charity, will include senior business figures and be jointly chaired by Bob Wigley, chairman of the Yell Group, and Anthony Salz, executive vice chairman of banking firm N M Rothschild.

The body, which will receive £1.5m in government funding over the next three years in addition to "raising support from the private sector", will help every college, secondary and primary school to build links with local businesses.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls, who launched the taskforce alongside Business Secretary Peter Mandelson today, said: "The [taskforce] is a fantastic new charity working to strengthen the partnerships between business and education.

"These partnerships make a real difference to young people, offering them the crucial skills and experience they need to prepare for the world of work. Employers also have a lot to gain; they will be helping to build a skilled future workforce that is interested and trained in their industries."

The taskforce will also work closely with a new group of "diploma employer champions" to generate more work placements for students on the diploma courses introduced as part of the 14 to 19 reforms. These champions include Brendon Riley, chief executive of IBM UK, and Christine Mayer, chief executive of Her Majesty's Court Service.