A government-sponsored initiative - the Enterprise and Industry Awareness programme - will allow 3,600 teachers to spend a fortnight with businesses, with the aim of keeping them up to date with the labour market.

Helen Liddell wants teachers to understand "what makes business tick"

The intention is for teachers to be better able to help pupils understand the skills and qualifications employers are seeking and to prepare school leavers more effectively for the world of work.

The scheme, which will begin allocating places in April 1999, was announced by the Scottish Education Minister, Helen Liddell.

"Teachers make an important contribution to the perceptions young people form of the world beyond school," she said. "Teachers need to understand what makes industry tick.

"This programme will help teachers gain an in-depth knowledge of how business works and what is important to employers today."

In order to make the most of these secondments in industry, Helen Liddell said that teachers will be expected to plan carefully and "prove that they can put the programme to good use".

"Their participation will have to improve young people's experience of the curriculum and school life".

Another consequence of the project, the minister said, would be to encourage industries to become more involved with local schools.