Key Wolverhampton employers gave teachers from across the city a unique insight into what skills they are looking for in future employees at a major event.

The University of Wolverhampton last week hosted Scifest 2013, a 5 day celebration of science and technology, which will feature a number of demonstrations, events and workshops.

As part of this, Wolverhampton City Council's Education Business Partnership organised a professional development day for teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) from city schools.

This gave them the opportunity to attend hands on workshops to gather ideas and resources to take back to their schools.

A question and answer session was also held with a number of key local employers including Jaguar Land Rover, Moog and Interserve.

This gave teachers the opportunity to ask questions about skills, apprenticeships and get important careers advice to pass on to pupils.

Tony O'Callaghan, from the Education Business Partnership, stressed how important it is for teachers and business leaders to work together.

He said: "The opportunities we have for bringing together education and business are incredibly valued by both sides and each can benefit enormously from such exchanges.

"We need to ensure this continues so that our young people get the latest information from the world of work and are able to make the right choices to succeed in their chosen career and employers need an understanding of new educational changes and work with schools to make sure they get their message across to their future workforce."

Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "The University's annual Scifest event is an exciting and enjoyable event for all who attend.

"But for teachers at our schools, it provides a range of important and useful information and resources that can be taken back to the classrooms for the benefit of pupils.

"This year, there was also the hugely beneficial question and answer session with major employers in the city. This gave them the chance to find out directly what companies are looking for in their future employees.

"We want to provide young people in Wolverhampton with the best opportunities and the professional development day can only help to achieve this."

  • released: Tuesday 25 June, 2013