SCHOOLCHILDREN could be trained as business leaders of the future if a plan to forge links between the town's schools and companies goes ahead.

Teachers and the business community will be meeting on Thursday to find out how they can work closely together.

The breakfast seminar is organised by the Swindon Education Business Partnership and hosted by Nationwide Building Society.

The town's major employers Nationwide and WH Smith will be at the seminar, which is supported by more than 50 of the town's businesses.

Nick Capstick, headteacher of Drove Primary School, is a director of the SEBP and the driving force behind its relaunch.

He said: "It is absolutely vital we get it right this time because if the partnership doesn't become a success it will be taken over the by South West EBP, meaning that Swindon's needs will not be so specifically addressed.

"If we make it work it will be a massive benefit to schools and business.

"At the moment the local education authority appears to be struggling and industry finds it increasingly difficult to find enough suitably qualified and skilled personnel.

"It is now time to look to the future prosperity, employability and stability of Swindon. That means taking a fresh look at the way the worlds of business and education can work together."

The group has four goals. The first two are to improve the standard of education in the town and improve the employability and productivity of the workforce.

It wants every pupil in the town to benefit from business links and to enhance the recruitment and retention of employees.

One of the first steps will be to agree an education business agenda and to act as an information service helping businesses and schools to link up.