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Businesses praise GCSE results

Business leaders congratulated GCSE students on their results last week, and offered advice to both students and employers on the next steps to take.

Andrew Sugden, director of membership and policy at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “GCSE results day can be a fraught time for youngsters who know the importance good results will have for the future. But, whatever the results, there is a world of opportunities within the North East as long as they are motivated and interested in getting a good career.

“Those that haven’t performed as well as they would like shouldn’t despair, as there are plenty of options open to them. The main thing is that they continue to learn and develop - either sitting A-levels or in workplace-based learning such as apprenticeships - as they have an enormously valuable role to play in the future development of the North East economy.”

The Confederation of British Industries (CBI) also praised students’ achievements, but warned about a potential skills deficit.

Sarah Green, Regional Director said: “Students and their teachers deserve congratulations today for all their hard work. Employers value these important qualifications and good GCSEs open many doors to future studies or employment. But today’s slight overall improvement cannot hide the disturbing fact that half of this year’s students have not made the grade in reading, writing and arithmetic.

“These young people risk being sidelined as the UK sheds many of its lower-skilled jobs and creates jobs with more demanding skills. We have to focus on getting these basics right, and avoid the perils to the UK of an underskilled workforce. And economics aside, to spend a lifetime unfulfilled by work is a personal tragedy too.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .