Ken O’Toole, the CEO of Manchester Airport Group, believes that in order to combat the rising rates of school absences, companies should provide work experience opportunities to children starting from a young age. He argues that waiting until students are in their teens for a two-week work placement is too late to ignite a passion for learning and exploring different career paths. O’Toole suggests that the government should mandate businesses to offer real workplace experiences to children of all ages, starting from primary school.
According to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, nearly two in five pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are persistently absent from school, missing at least one day of school every two weeks. The overall rate of school absences has increased significantly over the years, with pupils now missing an average of 14 days per year. This trend is particularly concerning among disadvantaged children, where the rate of persistent absenteeism has doubled in recent years.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has acknowledged the severity of the issue and has proposed measures such as fining parents and introducing free breakfast clubs to address the absence epidemic. However, O’Toole believes that more proactive steps need to be taken by businesses to provide opportunities for local children to engage with the working world before falling into a cycle of absenteeism.
O’Toole emphasizes that businesses play a crucial role in the communities they operate in and should actively contribute to tackling issues like absenteeism. He suggests that children as young as four should be taken on educational visits to nearby businesses, aligned with the national curriculum, to expose them to various career options and spark their interest in learning.
As the CEO of Manchester Airport Group, O’Toole is particularly aware of the high truancy rates in schools surrounding the airport and emphasizes the importance of local businesses stepping up to offer support and opportunities to prevent children from slipping into absenteeism. By engaging with young students early on, businesses can help create a sense of purpose and motivation that may ultimately improve school attendance rates and educational outcomes.
In conclusion, O’Toole’s proposal to mandate businesses to offer work experience opportunities to children of all ages could be a promising step towards addressing the school absence epidemic. By providing real-world experiences and insights to students at a young age, businesses can play a meaningful role in shaping the future workforce and fostering a culture of learning and engagement within communities.
