Alumni Support

Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the House of Commons am 2:30 pm ar 2 Mawrth 2015.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Ian Swales Ian Swales Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, Redcar 2:30, 2 Mawrth 2015

How many state secondary schools and colleges in England engage alumni to support students.

Photo of Nicholas Boles Nicholas Boles The Minister for Universities and Science, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Jointly with the Department for Education)

We encourage all schools to involve former students in advising young people about career opportunities and the course choices that can lead to them. Future First does excellent work in helping schools to do this.

Photo of Ian Swales Ian Swales Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, Redcar

St Peter’s school in my constituency is in one of the most deprived communities in the country, yet it has produced the current head of performance engineering at the Williams Formula 1 team and Greg Clark. Does the Minister agree that such alumni can play a valuable role in raising aspiration in the next generation?

Photo of Nicholas Boles Nicholas Boles The Minister for Universities and Science, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Jointly with the Department for Education)

I agree with my hon. Friend absolutely. It is hard to know who I admire more: my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells or the other gentleman he refers to. One of the key tasks of the new careers company being set up by Christine Hodgson is to help every school in the country to have an enterprise adviser, a current or recently retired local executive, who can help the school and the students identify opportunities in the area for their future career.