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Schools are being supported to build stronger links with local employers through a new online resource from Determined to Succeed, the Scottish Government strategy for enterprise in education.

Partnership with Employers shares best practice from around the country and includes interactive training modules for teachers.

Meanwhile Skills for Learning, Life and Work - the fourth stage of the 'building the curriculum' documents - will encourage moving away from categorising learning as either academic or vocational. Focusing instead on the knowledge and skills all young people need, teachers will be supported to deliver creative, engaging and work-relevant learning.

The new resources were launched at Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd in Livingston, which is involved in an innovative partnership with West Lothian College and Inveralmond Community High School. Speaking at the launch, Minister for Schools and Skills Keith Brown said:

"Scotland needs a new generation that is equipped with the skills required to be successful in a fast-paced and changing world, that can meet the economic and social challenges of the future and have an understanding of the workplace that will improve their chances of securing employment.

"Young people can receive a fantastic insight in to the world of work through links between local companies and schools and the new Partnership with Employers resource gives education professionals practical help in making this happen.

"As I have seen today at Johnson & Johnson, Inveralmond High pupils are getting real benefits through practical experiences of the skills needed to succeed in the healthcare and life sciences industries. This is just the kind of partnership working I would encourage schools and colleges across Scotland to take forward, as we prepare young Scots for life in the 21st Century.

"Through Curriculum for Excellence we are placing the emphasis on developing skills for learning, life and work and this latest curriculum guidance will help schools to focus even more on these key areas, from the early years right through to upper secondary and beyond."

Mhairi Laughlin, Principal of West Lothian College, said:

"We are delighted with the positive feedback we have received since teaming up with Johnson & Johnson, allowing pupils to learn about both the theoretical and practical aspects of healthcare. We fully support the launch of Skills for Learning, Life and Work in expanding the facilities and learning opportunities on offer to young people."

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland, said:

"Skills Development Scotland welcomes the launch of Skills for Learning, Life and Work as a holistic approach to building the capacities of lifelong learners and future workers, to meet fast-changing skills demands of businesses and to take more responsibilities for their own career development."

Graeme Hyslop, who leads on curriculum matters for Scotland's Colleges, added:

"This is the next step in the implementation of Scotland's new 'comprehensive' learning system. The development of skills must be integrated into learning frameworks at all stages in the education system - in schools, colleges and in universities. This document is relevant for the whole system and is to be commended."

The Partnership with Employers online resource was developed by Determined to Succeed and showcases best practice of effective employer partnerships taking place within Scottish schools. It helps practitioners to reflect on how they can build partnerships with employers that support pupil learning and connect to the curriculum. It also contains a series of interactive modules for staff on developing new approaches to working with employers.

Determined to Succeed is the Scottish Government's strategy for enterprise in education and is a key contributor to the aims of Curriculum for Excellence.

Building the Curriculum 4: Skills for Learning, Skills for Life and Skills for Work is the fourth part of a series of documents that aims to further support planning, design and delivery of the curriculum in schools and colleges.

Johnson & Johnson, Inveralmond High and West Lothian College are collaborating through the Bridge to Employment project, which builds long-term partnerships among businesses, school and colleges, community groups and parents.