Bridging the skills gap Heather Beeby Director of Communication Hurstpierpoint College
What can businesses do today to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce for employment? Last summer, The British Chambers of Commerce described employers’ concern about the poor levels of literacy, numeracy, communication and timekeeping skills they identified in school leavers and graduates. In the same year the Government made the decision to cut the £200m school’s careers service, leaving schools to provide careers advice out of their own limited resources. Where does this leave the pupils, those who will provide the workforce and ultimately the pensions for those currently in work and how can we best prepare these pupils for the workplace? Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, has stated that he is convinced local employers are best placed to provide both inspiration and advice. So how can businesses in Sussex make a difference to our local young people and what are the benefits for the businesses themselves? What most young people want is one to one guidance from someone who understands them, helps them to understand themselves and suppor ts them
on their journey from school to university or to the workplace and this is primarily the role of a careers advisor or tutor at school. Young people often find it difficult to recognise the skills and qualities they have and may not realise that playing netball or rugby demonstrates the ability to work in a team or that being a school prefect demonstrates leadership potential. Businesses, and in par ticular recruitment agencies, can help these young people by coming into schools, speaking to the pupils about preparing for work, providing advice on writing a good CV and giving interview practice. Some agencies are happy to provide workshops on the use of assessment centres and may even give the pupils practical experience which in turn builds confidence. Providing careers talks in schools can be extremely helpful as can suppor t within specific school depar tments such as science and IT and some businesses are happy to offer ‘taster days’ for young people which will help them as they star t to make decisions about their future careers.
Hurst Pupil testimonial: “Not only have I learnt CV and interview skills but I have also learnt ‘work skills’. It might sound silly but I feel more able to communicate with others, I can answer the phone and make calls, I can use my initiative and make decisions. This experience is more than finding out about a profession. I feel I have matured as a person.” Work placement employer comment: “I have really enjoyed the process. I have had work experience people with me for many years and Hurst’s system of interviewing and the candidates provided were streets ahead of the competition. More employers should get involved.”
So what do the businesses themselves stand to gain from this investment of time and resources? Working with the young is intrinsically rewarding as they give so much back and for many companies there is an explicit expectation that they contribute to the community. This raises the company profile but there are more material benefits too. At the highest levels there is great competition to recruit the best graduates and a positive work experience or the start of a relationship with a pupil whilst still at school can leave a lasting impression, which may lead to future recruitment opportunities. Recruitment agencies working in schools meet many young people who, if they remember a good experience, may be keen to join them in the future and this of course provides the agency with the pick of the best. Ultimately partnerships between schools and the business community can only be beneficial to the young who are our future.
The Department of Education, 2010: “Excellent careers advice is too important to leave to chance because it is essential to personal and economic wellbeing. We owe it to all young people to give them the best possible support in making decisions about their future learning and work.”
Careers evening at Hurst - the format is similar to speed dating!
- Business|Education -
A pupil being mentored by a teacher
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