Calls for earlier work experience to tackle pupil 'absence epidemic'

Companies should be made to give work experience to children as young as primary school age to help tackle the "absence epidemic" in schools, the boss of the UK's biggest airport group has said.

- Josh Halliday

Ken O'Toole, the chief executive of Manchester Airport Group, said firms had a "moral obligation" to offer opportunities to pupils well before they turn 15, when most UK students do a two-week work placement.

He said the government's crackdown on absence would only go so far and businesses should be made to "join the fight against this epidemic".

O'Toole said: "The government should make it mandatory for businesses to provide real workplace experiences to youngsters of all ages - from primary school through to working age.