Appeal for 100 bosses to join skills link-up

Business in the Community is seeking managers who can given a few hours each half term to head teachers in the county to help build stronger links with schools - and to learn from them.

They are being urged to join the organisation's Partners in Leadership scheme which gives bosses a chance to pass on their leadership, communication, coaching and support skills and pick up similar skills from head teachers.

Top firms already signed up to the scheme include KPMG, Prudential, Halifax, Cap Gemini and HM Customs & Excise.

Now Elaine Spencer, from Business in the Community, wants to hear from more firms who can offer their managers a chance to work with heads.

She said: "The benefits for business and managers are unquestionable. Business needs to link strongly with education to help build a skilled workforce. This experience for managers is essential in today's flatter management structures.

"Learning never stops and working with someone who faces the same management issues - but in a totally different context - changes perceptions and develops ideas education and business leaders need for the future."

Rob Urwin, regional personnel manager at the Halifax, said: "While the product may be different, the management issues are very similar. I have acted as a sounding board and given a different perspective on things.

"It is not about giving advice but more helping with decisions drawing from my management experience."

Business in the Community, which has a regional office in Pudsey, was founded in 1982 and its president is the Prince of Wales. It has more than 700 national and regional members across the UK including 75 per cent of the FTSE 100 firms.

Its main aim is to inspire business to increase its contribution to social and economic regeneration.

For further information contact Elaine Spencer on (01482) 225416.

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