PROPOSALS to create a new relationship between business and education and to put more emphasis on vocational skills in York schools have helped to gain a national accolade for the city.

Education chiefs with City of York Council have been awarded "pathfinder" status by the Government for pupils aged 14 to 19.

The status is granted to education authorities which are considered to be excellent at delivering education and skills to this age group.

Pathfinder status allows local authorities to use their experience to help shape national guidelines and look at new and innovative ways of providing their services.

As part of the council's submission to the Department for Education and Skills, officials highlighted proposals for a new relationship between business and education in York, which would involve inviting businesses to develop their own "youth policy".

Other proposals include making imaginative use of vocational-specialist GCSEs; an emphasis at school level on enterprise and wealth creation; contracting businesses to work in schools with target groups of young people; and teacher placements in business being linked directly with curriculum development.

Patrick Scott, the council's director of education and leisure, said: "We are absolutely delighted at becoming a 14 to 19-year-old pathfinder.

"The bid was put together by partners across the city, including the local education authority, schools, York College, and the council's economic development unit.

"It will help us develop a much wider range of courses for 14 to 19-year-olds, that will prepare them much more successfully for work with new businesses and industries in the area."

Updated: 10:19 Friday, July 11, 2003