Leader: Business of success

Nov 27 2009 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AS THE countdown to the General Election gets underway in earnest there will be doubtless be many cries of electioneering.

We’ve already seen the sheer weight of proposed new bills sketched out in the Queen’s Speech derided as the laying out of Labour’s election campaign.

But let’s hope that among all the jostling for political points that will inevitably go on between now and the election, that good ideas are not buried under accusations of vote catching.

Doubters will look at every new initiative and wonder. But let’s be grateful when innovative projects are delivered and back them so that they can become long term winners.

One such idea is that announced late yesterday by Schools Minister Ed Balls who has confirmed a £4m boost for Rawthorpe to host a new type of Studio School.

Youngsters have already been trying out vocational and practical learning courses at the Rawthorpe site and news that the work is to continue is a boost for all concerned.

It’s also a recognition of what many have been saying, particularly in Huddersfield.

Not all young people learn in the same way and a practical, hands-on approach to learning can be the key to unlocking flair and business know-how in many who might struggle with a more formal, academic approach.

Huddersfield has long been applauded for its entrepreneurial skills. Let’s get behind this initiative and give young people a new route to success. They might just surprise us.