Education‐business Dialogue? Behind the Language Conventions Available to Purchase

Provides an informed, personal view of the process by which education‐industry links evolve. Points to the culture of the players as a potential obstacle to meaningful dialogue, with particular reference to teachers and to manufacturing industry, and calls for a greater openness in establishing success criteria. Critically appraises the contributions of the National Curriculum Council to the debate,suggesting that these are more likely to cloud the issues than contribute to genuine partnership. An example from industry of a partnership policy in action is cited to demonstrate that openness about motives need not mean switching off interest from schools. Calls for a broadening of the debate on education‐industry links in particular, in the wake of the “reforms” of the 1988 Act.