August July 20132013
Youth EMPLOYMENT UK A youth employment magazine for everyone Will I get onto an apprenticeship scheme? What colllege can I go to?
PRESS RELEASE!! INTERNSHIPS VS VOLUNTEERING
What’s Next?!?!?
FEEDING BRITAIN’S FUTURE
RESULTS!!
L’Oréal UK INTERVIEW
Lack of Girls in Engineering
Digital Bad Hair Days III
The Social Network
w w w. ye uk . org. uk
How Many More Barriers?
CONTENTS
Editor’s Note p3 Digital bad hair days III p4 How Many More Barriers? p5 Got Your A Level Results? p6 Baltic Training Ad p7
L’Oréal Graduate Inter view p8-9 Press Release p10 InspireEducation Ad p12 Internships vs Volunteering p13 Inter view with Graduate p14 -15 The Social Network- p16 Youth Unemployment Stats p17 Learndirect p18-19 Zero hour contracts p20 Future Talent Ad p21 The Youth Friendly Badge p22
YEUK Business Membership p23 Five things you can do to help yourself get an apprenticeship p24-25 Chilled Food Association Ad p26 Feeding Britain’s future p27 It’s a win win situation p28 How much more madness should we take? p29 Is engineering just for boys? p30 - 31 Where to go for careers information p32 What’s the best way to have an immediate impact on literacy standards? p33 BBC Three Ad p34 YEUK Manifesto-p35 Damteq Solutions -p36-37 University courses: impact on lifecycle of employment and earnings -p38
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YEUK Youth Advert -p39
EDITOR’S
note
Thank you and Farewell
Hello,
Continue to read, contribute and distribute the magazine to educate and inform others. I leave
This month’s edition, my final as Youth Editor, you in very capable hands and know the edition is jam-packed full of content for everyone from will go from strength to strength. school leavers to graduates, it really promises to have something for everyone.
Until next time,
I have treasured my editorship at YEUK and look Holly forward to my continued involvement with the magazine. I feel it is incredibly apt that I am leaving in a month when so many other young people face new challenges and crossroads in their own lives. I too will be embarking on a new adventure and will take everything I have learnt as editor with me as I continue to champion young people in the best way I know how, by setting as best an example I can and contributing to what I believe is a truly worthwhile and genuine platform. I believe in young people and know that my journey, and yours, will be rewarding, if not a little turbulent.
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There are so many ways to trip up online these days that you almost need digital glasses to see properly. I wonder if Google Glasses will eventually have a built-in sensor like the warning beep you get in cars when reversing too close to something. As a regular blogger, I’m conscious of managing my reputation online so that who I am as a person and my business is in tune. That means being authentic and aware that my actions have consequences. This young person didn’t quite get it when she started blogging to the world about her job outside of work. Thea Allen was a young reporter for a local newspaper in Alabama, USA, who got fired for her “confessions” about her job - she’s frightened of old people and refuses to do stories involving them; her best sources have a secret crush on her, and she’s gone without a bra during a live report… and no one noticed. As Lindsey Pollak, a career and workplace expert, observed: “I think a lot of younger professionals are so used to posting about their lives on social media that maybe they don’t have the same filter as those of us who didn’t have that option when we started our careers.” 4
Thea’s frankness extended to her YouTube channel where she talked about the duller moments of a reporter’s life. “This is me sitting in my car waiting to do a story about nothing and getting paid less than most McDonald’s managers,” she said to the camera while sitting in her car. We live in a world where the lines between our work and home lives are increasingly blurred because we have the technology to do so and we value freedom of speech in our democracy. Just remember to do it with skill or, in the words of Jane Austen, sense and sensibility. Digital Bad Hair Days is provided to us by our Youth Friendly Badge holder Dash Coaching Ltd http://www.employabilitycoaching.co.uk/
From a young age we have been told that a CV needs volunteering and paid experience, stellar qualifications and extra curricular commitments, well that isn’t entirely untrue. What we weren’t told, is something I will tell you now: did you know future employers may glance at the aforementioned but fixate on something you may given little or no thought to, ‘hobbies and interests’. Begging the question, how many more barriers do we as young people face when we send out that CV or attend an interview?
If your CV boasts you are an avid deep-sea diver or sky diving enthusiast, then it appears you may be ahead of the game. I recently asked a colleague which sections he hones in on when he receives CVs, the answer I received surprised me somewhat. Whilst education, work history, etc. are vital, it may not be these qualifications that clinch the job.
English degree- like reading WRONG Art student- likes galleries- BORING Drama student-likes Shakespeare plays- NEXT Be inventive, but not deceitful. This is a section in which you can excel and provide a glimpse to the reader of something that makes you unique and different from the others with the same qualifications.
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Applied for University? Get up SUPER EARLY, check UCAS TRACK if you need to, take the following with you...but be prepared get it ready the night before *Mobile phone (charged and topped up) *Results slips from AS ( just in case you go through clearing you can say “ I got X in these modules”) *UCAS/uni letter (UCAS number) *Contact details for your firm and insurance university
Results not as good as you needed?
Results better than you needed?
Don’t panic! Whatever the envelope tells you, it’s not the end of the world.
Brag, grandparents etc this can have a seriously good effect on your bank balance or better still get them to buy you things you’ll need for uni.
There is always someone, somewhere in a worse position than you. Think about them and laugh a little. You have to make some big decisions now. Remember that good results do not mean a great life and vice versa, the important factor is what you do with your results. See the Careers Advisor - There may be a course or a vocational route that you can pursue that will get you where you want to be. Your school or college should have one on hand during results day. Discuss with him/her what your options are. Take a day or two to make your decision. Don’t rush it
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Think practical. If you have the results you require and the university has accepted you, well done, There are 2 things you need to do:1.Celebrate & 2.Start buying bedding and kitchen implements because you’re going to need them! Time is already running out, there is a lot of planning and purchasing to undertake. Make a list of all the items you think are essential to take with you.
Janet Colledge @CareersDefender
ATTENTION! Employers
Are you looking to maximise or grow your workforce?
School Leavers
Are you looking to get onto the career ladder in IT?
Contact an advisor to find out more
and
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Graduate Interview
Scouring the Internet for a Graduate Programme that suits you? Perhaps L’Oréal UK is the perfect fit. I sat down with L’Oréal UK Graduate Programme Manager,Sepha Brook, to discuss the programme they offer and just how ‘youth friendly’ this beauty company are when they look at the applications you submit in droves.
Could you please tell us a bit about the graduate scheme offered at L’Oréal UK? Our graduate scheme is also called a Management Training Programme,internally, anyone on scheme is known as MT (management trainee). We take about 35-40 graduates a year onto the programme with 3 start dates throughout the year: Feb, June or October. When on the programme, the MT rotates every four months over the year long period. Alongside the rotation, tailored development and core graduate training is offered. This involves core modules of presentation skills training and managing priority and time. ‘Divisional welcome breakfasts’ are also provided every time a graduate moves rotation- this offers a chance for face time with some senior people within the business, to ask for career history and advice and offers the graduate a chance to share their own achievements whilst being on the programme. At the end of a rotation, L’Oréal UK have what is called a 'Rotational snapshot event', for graduates to present to each other about what they have learnt, key achievements and challenges faced. MT’s are encouraged to make this as dynamic as possible, poems and quizzes are popular forms- the creative the better. A senior speaker in the business is also in attendance at the snapshot events and networking events are run at close. In summary: Three core month rotations, Core training, Business insight and Welcome breakfasts and additional snap shot events/ presentations before the MT goesoperational
What is the male to female ratio on your scheme? •36% male •38% male on industrial scheme •Not 50/50, but that is what we aspire to
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What is it you look for when you receive a CV? We are really open to any degree discipline and like to see extra curricular activities beyond academic achievement and also some employment,(doesn’t need to be anything jazz hands). It is more about whether you have proactively done different things: •Main crux is attention to detail •Have they written the right company name, or just copy and pasted •Grammar must be correct, care needs to have been taken as this is a very important first impression we are receiving •If it is noticeable that they have not been able to communicate effectively in written English, how will this translate to our business? •top tip: creat a professional first impression: display accurate grammar and spelling, and showcase those things done beyond education
What is the interview Interview process like at loreal uk?
So, how many applications do you receive?
•We manually screen every application we receive. If successful, invite those candidates to sit an online test- different thresholds for different areas. Commercial: sales roles- have highest requirements to pass. Following completion of numerical tests, a half an hour Competency-focused telephone interview is performed …..this is where the candidate must display an understanding of the company and be able to demonstrate that they have researched the brand. Following successful interview, candidates come through in strength order to assessment centre, this full day event requires: completion of a case study, resitting numerical test, go through a competency based interview and group exercise. Loreal UK reply to every application received: anyone at any stage would have an idea- “passed screening , we are going to send you a numerical test”
•Last year, close to 30,000 •We look at each one first, no crude sifting tool is used •Our team read through every CV and cover letter. How big is the team? Two
“Youth friendly” badge- how youth friendly is Loreal graduate programme? Whilst we don't close applications to people who graduated several years before, I'd definitely say we are youth friendly. All of the schemes are aimed at young people We market and make loreal uk visible to university students. We want to make sure, whether they secure a job with us or not, that they have a positive experience of the loreal brand. If someone comes to an assessment centre- want it to be testing, but enjoyable. Want people to leave more keen to work with us than when they arrived. When we call them up to give them that news, we talk to them for 10-15 minutes about their strengths and improvements that can be made before they apply againbreaking down each task and their scores. For those that do join- we then scan that feedback and pass that to their line managers so that when they do join the company, there is continuity between the assessment centre and management
Where does loreal uk stand on Paid vs unpaid internships?
So Sepha, what brought you to loreal? •Graduated with a psychology degree from university of Nottingham and did a masters in environmental psychology at Surrey •Joined Barclays graduate programmes and whilst I found it interesting, I saw examples of where I thought easy improvements could have been made to this scheme. I then took a rotation to look after school leavers who worked for us four and a half days a week and found this area really interesting I then worked across retail corporate and investment bank- looking after a range of schemes. After four years, I decided to experience somewhere new, which brought me to Loreal – where I have been able to use lots of transferable skills learnt at Barclays
Why should our reader choose loreal uk graduate scheme/ management training? •We are always very responsive and really accessible as a team, if anyone has any questions we are very active on social media and emails with two mailboxes dedicated solely for graduates •We are clear on our website about what it is we are looking for: people who have fire in their belly, who have experiences beyond their 2:1 degree and are willing to push themselves further •People who chase opportunity and challenge the status quo
•We don’t offer unpaid internships. We industrially run two sorts of internships: Year and ten week long that pay £18,00 a year and are quite transparent about this. We don’t take unpaid interns, as reputationally we don’t think it is the right thing for Loreal to be doing. Also, the level at which the interns contribute is unparalleled. They get more responsibility at this company than many others and this, in Loreal UK’s view, should be acknowledged and rewarded.
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Press Release
Accrington and Rossendale College has become a Youth Employment UK Education Ambassador, demonstrating their commitment to tackling youth unemployment. Youth unemployment rates have been on the up for over 5 years, seeing record highs in 2012. Nearly 1 in 5 young people will experience youth unemployment. The cost to the economy and to the young people socially and emotionally is well documented and Youth Employment UK thinks it’s a situation that is unacceptable. Accrington and Rossendale College, who are already committed to the employability and employment of their students, have made a heavy investment into the employer relationships that they build and services they provide to their community partners. Becoming an Education Ambassador for Youth Employment UK CIC fits well with their strategy. Tamsin Deasey, Director of Business and Partnerships at Accrington and Rossendale College, commented: “Youth unemployment is at an all-time high and Pennine Lancashire is one of the country’s worst hit areas. As a college that is career-focused, employability is at the heart of everything that we do and our aim is that every single one of our students leaves us ready for a career. We are thrilled to be supporting and working with Youth Employment UK and will tirelessly continue to play a key role in developing the career prospects of the 10
region’s young people.” Education Ambassadors make a commitment to promoting the campaigning and member services of Youth Employment UK. We offer free membership to 16-24 year olds which comes with a range of benefits, but not least being able to have their say and contribute to national issues linked to youth unemployment. Youth unemployment is the issue of our young people, but also our business community. To have a thriving economy and be a global leader, we cannot allow youth unemployment and the skills gap to remain so high, it is an issue that affects everyone in the UK. “Part of our work includes the free National Youth Friendly Badge for employers; it is an award that celebrates those employers who, in some way, are supporting young people in their community. Accrington and Rossendale College has a great relationship with their employer partners and as an Education Ambassador will be assisting their employer community to receive this national recognition. It is a great return on investment that the College can champion to ensure both students and employers benefit from the partnership.” Said Laura-Jane Rawlings Founder of Youth Employment UK CIC
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At a time when university leavers face such tough and competitive jobs markets in the UK, graduates need more than their academic degree to stand out from the competition. Employers want more than a good degree; they look for activities like volunteering and previous internships that offer CVs a unique selling point. But which is better: internships or volunteering? Which is more benefficial for the unemployed? What would employers prefer to see on a CV?
As an English Literature graduate searching for employment myself, I cannot help thinking that volunteering work, that is, freely offering to do something to help a company or organisation, has been fashioned into something that is merely there to impress: “It would look great on your CV!”
services to a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons without promise or expectation of compensation for services rendered. If an intern does not benefit financially for working temporarily within a company, the educational plan is, arguably, the greatest perk of any internship.
Volunteering does, of course, have a positive impact on the volunteer too. Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something you are really good at and develop skills such as planning, budgeting and supervising others. Gone is the stigma of ‘do-gooders’, volunteering has become fashionable, and essential.
Last month, reports show that internships and work experience were vital to successful job-hunting, graduates who had done internships were three times more likely to land jobs! Although I would urge anyone hunting for work to consider volunteering, in my opinion, internships would fare much greater on a CV for having given the individual training as a pre-professional within a desired career.
Whereas volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing, internships focus largely on the intern: working in a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training. Interns generally have a supervisor who assigns specific tasks and evaluates the intern’s overall work. Some internships are paid and some are unpaid, but all offer relevant experience in a particular career field. Most internships do not fit the ‘volunteer’ definition: an individual who provides
Emily Handley, YEUK Ambassador 13
An Interview with a Graduate 2. Did you apply for or consider any graduate schemes? I briefly considered applying for some graduate schemes, but didn’t think that the ‘corporate’ feel of them would be for me, so I didn’t apply for any.
Hannah Davey Age: 23 1. Can you give us a brief summary of your background? I studied Ancient History at Newcastle University, where I graduated 2 years ago in 2011.
3. How did you find job hunting post-university? How long was it until you found work? I found job-hunting post-university relatively easy as I already had a paid volunteering opportunity lined up for November after I graduated. In between this and graduating I worked in the catering/events industry. 4. You decided to work abroad for a time, what made you decide to do this and what was your experience like? I decided to work in Sweden, as I had wanted to live there for a long
time. I had also met people in the UK who were doing the same programme as me who recommended the value of living abroad. My experience was not entirely positive, as there are many obstacles that are hard to perceive until you need to live abroad and many aspects of home life that I realised I had taken for granted! However, in retrospect, my time abroad was a beneficial learning experience.
entrepreneurs; in particular, I work with younger entrepreneurs from 11-21. 7. Could you tell us how your company supports young social entrepreneurs? We invest in individuals who have their ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change. This comes as a complete package of funding, Award Managers who offer ongoing advice, networking opportunities and practical sup5. Have you done any unpaid in- port through mentors. ternships? Do you think they are valuable schemes? 8. What advice would you give to I have done one unpaid internship, people who are searching for emas well as other unpaid volunteer- ployment? ing opportunities. I’m not entire- Keep being pro-active in searching ly convinced they are valuable for jobs and continuously gaining schemes, as they limit social mo- new skills: Volunteering opportubility within certain sectors, but I nities usually offer expenses and found my internship to be valua- lots of flexibility to get involved in ble, as I was employed afterwards! different aspects of work, but also don’t deem yourself too good for 6. Are you employed now? any roles - you can learn a lot from I am now employed as an Awards catering or retail jobs and it always Support Officer, with Unltd, a foun- looks better to have a full CV, rathdation providing funding for social er than employment gaps.
Almost everyone has filled in lengthy application forms with hundreds of others competing for the same job, wondering how you get a chance with companies which do not advertise on the popular job sites and boards. The answer may be closer than you think, as using your ‘network’ can increase your chances of finding work and meeting the people who can get you ahead of the competition. Networking can seem like a scary concept, it conjures up ideas of connecting to a room full of important people in the hope of building relationships which may help you succeed in the future. It reality, it’s much easier than many people realise, networking is simply using everyone you know to collect as much information, advice and experience as you can.
may know someone else who does or who can give you advice on where to look for opportunities. A personal recommendation can be more persuasive than the most carefully crafted CV so employers may be more likely to give you an interview, an internship or some work experience if you have been praised by someone they know. I aim to get into the charity world but at first I did not think I knew anyone who could help me get into an industry which often recruits internally. However, a few enquiries to my family and friends resulted in more connections than I had imagined, and soon I was on a placement through a recommendation which has given me experience and contacts for my future searches.
So who do you know? It is easy to assume that you don’t know enough people, or the right people, but your network is greater than you realise. Think about friends, classmates, people you’ve worked with, relatives, family friends and people you know vaguely who work in the industry you’re interested in. Often we don’t even know what jobs all these people have but there is nearly always a link to someone useful, however loosely connected you perceive yourselves to be.
Finding a job can be notoriously challenging which is why we all need as much support as we can to help us along the way. Most people are happy to help and can send you in the right direction even if they can’t provide opportunities themselves. Finally, making yourself and your ambitions known to as many people as possible, means that you may be the first person that someone thinks of when a great job vacancy arises in the future.
Hopefully you’ll find someone who already has your dream job or works in that industry, but if you don’t then a friend
Fran Daly YEUK Ambassador
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It may sound like a cliché, but the future of the world is in the youth’s hands. A world where the youth work with the experienced to make the world a better place. There has always been setbacks and unemployment is one of them. In 2013, youth unemployment is at one of its highest, and this makes finding work very tough! This is a big problem in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, due to the recent global recession. Another problem is that graduates think that getting a degree guarantees you a job after graduating. More fool us! In recent years, many graduates are finishing university and struggle to walk into a paying job, with the majorly either working part time or claiming benefits. Although the national unemployment figure has fallen, the levels of youth unemployment have risen by 15,000 to reach 973,000 between 16-24 year olds. I recently finished university, and although I have a part time job, I tried to claim job seekers allowance… the reason being that I fitted the criteria on Job Centre Plus website. However, when I got to the job centre for my interview, the interviewer instantly told me that I wasn’t eligible because I earned per month, just over the limit. So now, al-
though I still work part time, I struggle to build up enough money to support myself… and I am just one person, there are thousands more people in the same position as me! I am sure that I am not alone on this but governments really do need to listen to the youth. In the past, the youth have changed our education system, and have sought equality for women and the LGBT community. Businesses need to address the youth unemployment crisis by creating jobs and helping young people build skills needed for work. According to John Podesta of The Guardian, the European Union has sought out a new $7.8bn plan to direct more resources towards countries with youth unemployment rates of over 25%. Unfortunately, the UK is currently at 20.2% (correct at 31st May 2013) so as unfair as this is, I guess we won’t be getting any funding anytime soon! We can only do our bit to improve youth unemployment for the majority.
Aidan Darrall, YEUK Ambassador 17
Joanne said: “I left wo difficult to find anothe cations and after goin Step advisor to go to t
“I’d only had simple jobs in the past lik school but I messed around a lot and it
“I knew I had it in me, I just needed the didn’t have much confidence but after staff at learndirect. I could work at my because I enjoyed it so much but I coul
“As well as doing my maths and English learndirect staff suggested I do this wh improve.
“However, I soon realised I could bene al. Because I’m young I didn’t have a lo questions in the interviews I’d had. The
“I enjoyed my time at learndirect so much I asked if I could do some volunteeri I’m now doing further qualifications so I can hopefully progress to being a tuto
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“I’ve always wanted to have a job where I can help people so I’m really pleased w who wants to gain more qualifications. It really sorted me out and gave me the as a whole.”
#
ork to have my son and was finding it really er job. I realised I needed to get some qualifing to Jobcentre Plus I was advised by a Next the Amethyst learndirect centre in Coalville.
ke admin and packing roles and I really wanted to further myself. I’d done ok at t wasn’t until I left school I realised how important qualifications were.
e qualifications to prove it. I was a bit apprehensive about going to the centre and a few days I loved it, thanks to the dedication and support I received from the own pace and the staff were so supportive. I spent most of my time in the centre ld also do a bit of learning at home in the evenings if I wanted to.
h qualifications I also took a course to help me improve my workplace skills. The hen I arrived at the centre but at first I didn’t think it was something I needed to
efit from brushing up on these skills and in the end it was so helpful it was unreot of experience with job interviews and I realised I’d been asking all the wrong ey also helped me sort out my CV.
ing at the centre and this lead to me being offered a job as a classroom assistant. or.
with where I’ve got to. I’d recommend learndirect to anyone with low confidence e boost I needed to not only to improve my skills and confidence but also my life 19
As many argue these contracts suit younger people and students, let’s look at the questions a young person needs to ask before they sign on the dotted line, as it were… Why are they called zero hour contracts? Essentially, the employer may have no use for the employee at any given time. In this instance, the employee works zero hours and is paid zero money.
Zero Hour Contracts:
I’m not feeling well and I’ve been asked to work?- Sorry, it is unlikely sick pay is included in your contract. How many people are currently employed in these contracts? A survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development estimates that more than one million others are on zero-contracts . Which companies use these contracts? Typically, so called “low-skilled jobs” employ these contracts. A third of voluntary sector organisations, so says the CIPD
Sports Direct, JD Wetherspoon and Cineworld have all recently been accused and embroiled in the zero-contract debate I like working this way, what is the fuss all about? For many, there may not be one. Many dislike the lack of financial stability and security and the fact they are not being offered as much work as they would like If I say I can’t work today, will that mean I won’t be phoned again? Perhaps, but not necessarily. Depending on your employer there is no ruling that says you must work if you don’t wish to. The flexibility works both ways. However, much of the recent backlash has said that employers are in danger of being exploited or treated unfairly for turning down shifts when asked. I’m an employer, what are the advantages of using these contracts? Flexibility. You might find that you are able to avoid paying fixed overheads and have a workforce that are appreciative of their flexible work hours. Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has recently spoken out about such contracts Should I take a job with a zero hour contract? That decision is one for you and you alone. It may well suit you to be employed in this manner. For many however, it does not, and what with the ever-growing unemployment rate in the UK many 16-24 year olds feel pressured to take any work, even if it is flexible and with little or no guarantees. But one thing is for sure, this is a contentious issue that will not be leaving the headlines any time soon. If you fancy having your say on these contracts and fancy being in next month’s issue, contact us on:
emag@yeuk.org.uk 20
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As you will hopefully remember on May the 30th this year Youth Employment UK CIC launched the free national Youth Friendly Badge. The badge was designed to increase the number of UK employers who are supporting young people in their communities. As youth unemployment remains at critically high levels one solution comes down to a simple maths equation:
1.09 million young people unemployed = A need for 1.09 million opportunities So how then do we inspire the 3 out of 4 UK employers who do not yet support young people to do so? This is the question that Youth Employment UK asked and our answer is the Youth Friendly Badge. We have already seen a great interest in the badge and are delighted to say that we have issued a lot of Youth Friendly certificates to organisations who have demonstrated youth friendly behaviour. But what really excites us is the opportunity that the badge has to make a difference.
Asks their 50 suppliers to become Youth Friendly (12 of which already are)
1 Youth Friendly Employer
38 suppliers now decide to become youth friendly & commit to 2 youth friendly activites a year = 76 new opportunities for young people
Remember: A youth friendly activity can be anything from offering to speak to students at a careers talk, providing work experience, mentoring right through to employment opportunities. There is a Youth Friendly activity for every business. So if you are a UK employer (micro, sme or corporate) and are already doing some form of youth engagement please take the time to register for the badge. Once you have the badge then let all of your customers and suppliers know about it so that we can start to create the opportunities our young people need. And if you are a young person remember to look out for the badge on employers, college websites see who is committing their organisation to being YOUth friendly. 22
www.yeuk.org.uk
MEMBERSHIP We are a campaigning and membership organisation and our business members are very important to us, in fact we could not survive without them! Benefits to joining: •Be seen to be supporting the national campaigning and membership organisation dedicated to tackling youth unemployment •Representation – We regularly communicate with government and put forward the views of our membership •Information – We communicate the things that you need to know about youth employment; policy change, funding, contract awards, tenders •Members Area – We have a dedicated members area where all of our members can access resources, best practice documents and later this year members will be able to access an online forum to encourage support, collaborate and sharing of opportunities •Support Services – We provide our members with support services to include review of 16-24 recruitment strategy, youth engagement policy etc. •Be seen by our Youth Members – We invite young people (16-24) to join YEUK they have their own members area packed with information on careers, pathways, job hunting, case studies, competitions and opportunities, they also all receive our e-magazine by becoming a member you not only get the chance to reach our youth members but you also are investing in the services they need to help them into EET (education, employment and training) Membership starts at £75.00 per year, for more information please visit www.yeuk.org.uk or email info@yeuk.org.uk Youth Employment UKCIC is a not for profit organisation, we are committed to investing all profits into the development of YEUK and support services for young people across the UK.
FOR INFOMRATION ON OUR YOUTH OR EDUCATION AMBASSADOR MEMBERSHIP PLEASE VISIT WWW.YEUK.ORG.UK
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If you have just left school or college and have decided t might be considering applying for one of the range of dif the National Apprenticeship Scheme website (www.appr can concentrate on that will help you create a good appl
1.Carry out some Research – Employers
need people who are motivated and want to come to work (it costs them a fortune to recruit, train and coach their staff only for them to leave saying they don’t like it). Your job is to find out as much as you can through researching the employer and industry by talking to people and reading about them. Think how you will answer the question “why do you want this job?”
2.What you have to offer – when you read
a job description, if you are interested, have a think about and write down the skills and abilities that you have that are similar to what they are looking for. Most employers are looking for similar skills which will include: being able 24
to communicate with others, able to work on your own once given a set of instructions, confidence to solve problems and being able to work as a team ask for help from family or tutors, they know you well
3.Get curious – while
researching companies and industries, you may well come up with more questions then you had at the beginning – Good! Asking questions about the role, how long the company has been going? how you can be promoted? what training will be available? etc. will demonstrate to the interviewer you are interested in the role
4.Be prepared
– when you are asked for an interview, know where you are going and how to get there (it will reduce any stress on the day). Create a good impres-
that you would like to find a job and some training, you fferent apprenticeship roles that are advertised through renticeships.org.uk). If so, here are five things that you lication and be successful at interview.
sion by dressing like someone who wants a job, you will find that feeling smart and professional will make you come across to an employer as smart and professional. Practise answering the kind of questions you might be asked about , why you chose your college course, things you have done you are proud of, what you would like to do in the future
5.Get Excited
– I know this sounds a strange one but I will let you into a secret, if you are able to demonstrate to an employer you are genuinely interested in their business, what they do and who they work with, have a good idea about the kind of things you will be doing if you work there and seem keen to be given the opportunity of really proving yourself – this alone will
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain be enough to get you the job. Remember, everyone you send your CV and cover letter to or be interviewed by will have been in your shoes before. Don’t worry that you don’t have much experience or that you are quite nervous about starting a new job, they were too once. It is in their interest to help you become a valuable employee in their business, help them by letting them understand what potential you have. by Simon Bason 25
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Attending a workshop is a great opportunity to: •Get help with your CV straight from an employer •Practice your interview skills •Build your confidence for applications and interviews •Get tips from employers about what they look for when hiring •Visit a workplace - it might be an office, a factory, a farm or a shop •Find out about careers you might not have thought about before You’ll also get a certificate for taking part.
Feeding Britain’s Future is an initiative run by the food and grocery industry, in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. For the whole of September, businesses along the supply chain, from farms to factories to stores, will open their doors and provide training in the skills you need to get a job.
Last year, 70 businesses participated in 700 locations, covering every region in the UK. The campaign provided 10,000 skills training opportunities with 98% of participants saying they felt more confident applying for a job. This year, Feeding Britain’s Future already has over 140 companies signed up and plans to offer 14,500 opportunities for young unemployed people across 1,100 locations nationwide. While this isn’t part of the scheme, in 2012 many young people were so impressive that they were recruited by the businesses that took part – such as Kosar Bibi, 21, and John Greencore, 20.
Kosar Bibi – Sainsbury’s, 21
Kosar Bibi, 21 who took part in Feeding Britain’s Future in 2012 and secured a role with Sainsbury’s, said: “The workshops were really helpful as they helped with my confidence when it came to applying for a job, and it was interesting to speak to people at Sainsbury’s about all the different jobs and training opportunities on offer. I’m really enjoying working as part of the team at Oldbury – it’s always busy and the job is rewarding.” Sainsbury’s supported the campaign last year by holding employment workshops for young people in stores across the West Midlands. The sessions were held by experienced HR managers in partnership with Jobcentre plus, who gave tips and advice about CVs and interview skills. Two hundred people attended in total to get advice on what it’s like to work at Sainsbury’s and the training on offer. Young people who work at Sainsbury’s were also on-hand to share their first-hand experience about the opportunities on offer for people working in a busy store – from developing people skills to managing budgets and teams. Thanks to these workshops, a store in Oldbury took on new recruits to work across a range of departments – including online shopping and the TU clothing department.
How can I get involved?
You should ask your Jobcentre Adviser for more details of what is going on in your local area.
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many young people, school days are not the happiest or most rewarding times of their lives. For all sorts of reasons, some pupils do not excel in the school environment, and yet many can flourish once they are given a fresh challenge and opportunity. For one Dorset teenager, this has proved to be just the case. Ben Blackwell, 16, has taken up a business administration apprenticeship through FNTC Training and been placed with Poole-based computer company the Repair Bay and f8 Solutions. Ben is now working with his employer, Will Holt, at the Repair Bay in Alder Hills and is really pleased he took the decision to join an apprenticeship. Ben said, “I’m working towards a level 3 qualification, and using my business skills every day. My boss Will has encouraged me to get involved in setting up a new customer database. I’ve also designed some new posters and flyers, plus, I’m learning about the computer
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repair side of things. I really enjoy coming to work.” His employer Will Holt, Director at the Repair Bay and f8Solutions added, “As an apprentice Ben has far exceeded my expectations. I have seen his confidence grow in leaps and bounds, and he is a truly valued member of the team. His customer service is exceptional, and our clients love him. It has been a rewarding experience all ways round.” Will also recommends taking on an apprentice to other employers, saying, “We are only a small business but have plans to expand. Our local training provider, FNTC Training listened to what we were looking for and I think gave us some excellent candidates to interview. They helped us with the grant and made the process seamless. I don’t think it will be too long before we are in a position to take on another apprentice. It’s a win: win situation. Good for our business and good to give a young person a kick-start with their career.”
ÂŁ15bn is the cost of the 35 national youth employment schemes, which in 2012/13 only 559,183 young people benefitted (source: publicservice.co.uk)
1.09 million is the number of 16-24 year old Britons unemployed (source: Mail online)
There are currently more than half a million vacancies in the economy, more than any time since 2008 (source: gov.uk)
Nick Hurd Tory MP has said that young people lack the grit, social and work skills to be successful in the jobs market (source: Mail online)
Education needs to prepare young people for employment, rigorous exams are not enough. (source: HR Magazine (British Chambers, CBI, and individual employers have all cited similar concerns)
The emotional and social impact of long term youth unemployment is severe. As many young people who experience youth unemployment struggle in their later years with mental health and social-economic problems (source: ACEVO)
W H A T W E S A Y
ÂŁ15bn would pay for 500,000 employers to offer a young person a full 3 year apprenticeship
The level of youth unemployment continues to rise and although there have been some peeks and troughs it has remained too high for over three years now with little evidence that there is a sustainable government solution on the horizon
Not only are there half a million vacancies we also know that there are a number of sectors really concerned with the lack of recruits. Young people need to be more aware of the opportunities and labour market needs.
The coalition removed a schools statutory duty to provide careers education and work experience. So our young people have fewer opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge for work.
The education reform is focused on increasing the rigour of exams however UK businesses want young people to experience a holistic education that prepares them with life and work skills as well as academia.
If we do not deal with youth unemployment now we are putting all of our children at risk of the long term effects of youth unemployment. What will the UK look like in terms of its global success and as a society that has failed its young people?
If you are an employer, young person, training provider or school and want to be a part of positive action to tackle youth unemployment JOIN Youth Employment UK NOW and let us stand together to make a difference.
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It probably will never cease to amaze me that in the 21st century we are still trying to encourage more girls to consider “Jobs for boys� or to break through into the boardroom. We know that it is good for business to have a gender balance; women and men bring different skills, perspectives and values to the workbench or boardroom and yet we still have such a long way to go to see equality as the norm. We went to meet with Marshall Aerospace an organisation that has been recruiting apprentices since 1929 to find out what their experience has been. Marshall Aerospace receives over 200 applications a year for their 20 apprenticeship roles but too few of these applications are from girls and even fewer girls pass the recruitment process. Marshall Aerospace is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce but also need to ensure they recruit the right people and getting a gender balance is proving to be difficult. During our visit we met with two female members of staff; Laura who has completed the apprenticeship programme and has been with Marshall for six years and works in the engineering design department and Charlotte who is in the first year of her apprenticeship. They both buzzed with enthusiasm about their apprenticeship and for their work at Marshall. They have amazing career paths ahead of them thanks to the commitment Marshall have to the quality apprenticeship programme. So what made Laura and Charlotte choose engineering? They talked about their interest 30
as young girls in things mechanical and engineering, having helped at home on cars and projects. Charlotte remembered a time in school where the day was spent participating in engineering tasks sparking her interest. But both Laura and Charlotte felt that their schools had not given them enough exposure to developing skills that could be used in engineering or enough careers information about the pathways and careers in STEM.
We spoke with Helen Wollaston Director or WISE a CIC set up to promote career opportunities in STEM for girls. When we asked Helen what she felt the top barriers were to girls choosing STEM careers she said: 1. Stereotyping, still there seems to be the idea that some jobs are for girls and some for boys, coupled with this is that there are a lack of female role models, too few girls know a woman in a STEM career. 2. Science and Maths based subjects are traditionally taught in a way that suits boys more than girls, with less creativity and few links to the potential STEM careers that may appeal to girls. 3. There is a lack of STEM careers information, teachers/parents favouring the traditional Vet, Doctor, Nurse Occupations. The variety and diversity of careers in STEM is not highlighted and young people are not excited by its potential. The WISE Campaign works with employers and schools to promote opportunities for girls, they have a host of resources and support services available on their website.
Reasons to consider a career in STEM
•As there are still too few women in STEM careers you will stand out from the crowd and this could bring favour to your job applications •The UK is the world’s sixth largest manufacturer, engineering turnover is around £800 billion per year, so it’s a sustainable career choice •Careers in STEM are varied and can make a huge difference to the lives of people (Technology, Renewables, Health etc) •STEM Careers bring great prospects – Salary, Travel, Promotion, Personal Development
Key Facts:
•13 %of all those working in occupations classed as STEM (including health occupations) are women (693,000) •The percentages of Engineering and ICT professionals who are female fell by 1.4 and 0.6 percentage points respectively since 2008 •Nearly 1 in 5 of STEM companies in the FTSE 100 have no women on their Board •Just over 1 in 10 (11%) of STEM business owners are women, compared to 1 in 3 (33%)who are owners of non-STEM businesses •The number of females obtaining Engineering and Technology degrees increased by 21%between 2008 and 2011.The number of females obtaining degrees in Mathematical Sciences increased by 27%in the same period. However, the increase was greater for males than females. Apprenticeship programme starts by gender (2011/2012) Construction Electro-technical Engineering IT & Telecoms Prof (inc ICT) Rail, Transport, Engineering Vehicle, Maintenance & Repair
Male 13,330 4,910 12,880 10,400 2,350 8,020
Female 230 60 400 1,200 20 130
Thanks to WISE for sharing this information http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/
For more information, career ideas or resources check out: http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/ http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/ http://www.futuremorph.org/ www.icould.com http://apprenticeships.org.uk
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Apprenticeships, Employment, University, College, what is next for you, and if you do not know where can you go for help? Careers Information & Support
The National Careers Service is the government’s portal for all things Careers and Advice; you can connect with them online or talk to an advisor over the phone. You can browse over 750 different career profiles, check your skills, build a CV and much more - 0800 100 900 Youth Employment UK – Of course you can join our social media pages Facebook Twitter and Pinterest where we promote latest news, views, advice and opportunities. Be sure to also register to be a Youth Member as you will then get access to a load more resources and info. YEUK Members Employability Hub Colour Your Success Your Career Mentor Bright Track Revolution Hive Shaw Trust
Employment There are a number of Job Search websites that also advertise vacancies from apprenticeships to internships and graduate employment, take a look at: Universal Jobmatch YEUK Members Future Talent
Apprenticeships University or College You can search for thousands of College or Universities through the UCAS website and Unistats
YEUK Members
Petroc College ACCROSS COLLEGE
The obvious starting point is the National Apprenticeship Service you can find out more about apprenticeships, funding and search for vacancies and training providers near you.
YEUK Members
Enterprise Take a look at Princes Trust
YEUK Members Rock Star Youth
Apprenticeship4England Baltic Training ApprenticeSupermarket
Our list is not exhaustive and there are a lot of resources, guides and services for young people. If you have not been able to get help from this list let us know and we will put you in contact with a specific organisation. Or if you have been helped by an organisation not listed let us know and we will sign post to them too! emag@yeuk.org.uk 32
‘The Core Essentials of Writing’ – A Thinking Child training module focusing on writing skills: particularly grammar and punctuation.
Who is it for?
•School staff involved in teaching and learning; literacy across the curriculum. •Training Providers who support young people with CVs, personal statements and applications. •Employers who want to provide staff training for those who need to ‘brush up’ the quality of their daily communications: emails, letters reports etc. •Any other organisation who wants to give their staff more confidence in written communications. Sue Dixon, founder of Thinking Child, has designed this course from years of experience as a literacy consultant and trainer. She understands what is required of an ‘essential’ core learning module and what is practicable with limited time and budgets. Delivered in your own setting with groups of staff (up to a maximum of 20.) All materials are included in the package cost of £750 (+VAT) - for a full day. (plus travel & accommodation where required) To book your course or find out more: Telephone 01604 491511 Email info@thinkingchild.org.uk 33
ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED? AGED BETWEEN 18 and 27? ARE YOU EAGER TO WORK BUT DESPAIR AT THE LACK OF JOBS OUT THERE? If so, The BBC would like to hear from YOU! The BBC is searching for unemployed 18-27 year olds to potentially take part in a major new series that aims to tackle youth unemployment in the UK.
If you, or someone you know, is finding it hard to get a job and you’re interested in taking part in an amazing new social experiment then we’d love to hear from you! For your chance to get involved in this brand new, primetime programme please email: outofwork@bbc.co.uk
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Founding his successful creative website design agency at the age of just 16, Adam Smith was amongst the youngest entrepreneurs in the UK. Now seven years on and worlds away from his bedroom business, Adam soared from 12 to over 178 clients in less than seven months without a single business loan or any financial support. Always ticking over a profit, he left his original brand Smith Computers far behind, evolving “adam technologies” into Damteq Solutions and his first fully fledged website design agency in Hampshire. He then took on the mammoth task of managing every aspect of his business single handed, juggling massive clients throughout the day and building away at his own business by night. His hard work was recognised almost immediately across press, soon becoming a RAR recommended digital agency in December 2012 and second in Heart Internet awards ceremony March 2013. With young entrepreneurial spirit and endless new projects and ambitions for his companies, Adam believes it was all about taking “calculated risk”.
“I have been asked by local al schools and colleges to present seminars to other younger adults to encourage then to think about starting their own companies. Building up the idea that I could do it from a young age was the key that inspired me to get started so young. It is planting this idea that it is possible and it has been done that I believe is so vital, so that every child has the potential to grow up with faith in their ambitions. The rest is up to them.” 36
Timeline Founded the business in 2006, aged 16. Began as self employed, building websites for clients such as his driving instructor, who he offered to design a company website in exchange for free lessons. Started out as Smith Computers. Developed his brand name into Damteq Solutions – aDam teqnology Solutions. Company always ticked over with profit, never having to delve into financial support or business loans of any kind. Worked his day job and then built the business by night, managing clients at every opportunity he could in between.
The Turning Point In 2012, Adam went from 12 clients to 178 clients within 7 months. Company ethos: Simple Creativity. Design, SEO, Marketing, Branding & Print. These ranged from hosting domain names, full website design to marketing & print. Awards: RAR Recommended in December 2013. Awards: Second in a website award ceremony for Heart Internet, March 2013. Buying into first offices in January 2013. Registering as a Limited Company in February 2013. Employing Marketing Executive in May 2013. Remaining financially self sufficient since day one, completely debt free. Currently aiming to build up reputation and business across Hampshire and surrounds. One of the fastest growing full service digital agencies in the UK.
Adam’s thoughts “Everything I have done has all been about calculated risk.” “I worked very long hours for a VERY long time. Usually 18 hour days juggling my day job and building up Damteq in every spare moment. You have to have a get up and do it attitude and if you want it enough, that never becomes a chore.” “My thought process was thinking like a consumer, working out what people don’t like, what they respond to, and moulding the company around things I found were important when talking to a business or looking to buy a product.” “I love my work and if you love what you do then so will other people.” “It has not always been an easy ride but I have never given up and I never will. The brand may change and evolve but no one will ever be able to change my vision and the direction I want to take the company.” 37
In view of the ever increasing costs of university education in the UK, many prospective students are left non-the-wiser as institutions jostle for space to outsell each other in as far as the value of courses they offer is concerned. Is this leaving thousands of students at the mercy of mis-sold courses? By mid-morning August15 2013, the wait for A ‘Level be improved so graduates are equipped with skills they results in England and Wales was finally over. require for work. In the weeks until 20 September; the final deadline for applying for a place at university, thousands of young people armed with their impressive grades face important decisions to make as far as career choices are concerned. Therefore critical and life changing questions for these prospective students to answer are: which university to choose and why? And which course of study and career path to follow? The decisions that one makes will profoundly affect their professional and personal life - but ought to be made fast.
“I believe it provided me with the required grounded theory in my area of specialism. “The only issue I have is that the course has no well - established work placement schemes which are critical for those looking for work,” she said.
She also added that on completion for example one struggles to qualify for a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) certificate, a necessity for getting a relevant job. “It has been a year now since I have been looking for work This year’s results according to NUS show an improved through my degree qualification but with no success,” pass rate of 97.5%, up by 0.3 per cent compared to last she complained. year’s, thus bringing more applicants to the increasingly shrinking number of places available especially with The point, there is no better university but only better prestigious universities. courses that are capable of preparing students for the job market through grounded theory as well as complemenBut do candidates know exactly what university they tary placement schemes. want to enrol with or even the courses that best meet their career prospects? Do they enrol onto the ‘name It is the rigour of the course not the name of the univerof the university’ or the course that increases their em- sity that matters. After all, times are hard; and the £9.000 ployability opportunities? or more on tuition fees per year which one repays upon completion should be considered. Bearing this in mind, Jenny Grinter, Communications Officer at the Univer- work placement opportunities in most subject areas on sity of Essex says employers know the courses that suit offer are sought after by employers and therefore part of them — and those may not exclusively be from big- skills development. This is simply because it allows emname household institutions. ployers to save money, resources and time on training up new employees on skills required for the job. “Consider what you want to study and how strong a particular university is in that subject, rather than just Going to university is a great experience. After all it is looking for an institution that you recognise,” she ad- a community where creative minds converge, collaboravises. tive spirits cultivated, and educational and scholarly contributions excel. It is also a place which for many decides A former student on a BA Honours in Heath Studies lifetime career and employment investment. course at De Montfort University agrees. She says while her course was great there are some areas that need to By Crimson M. Tazvinzwa 38
Youth UnEMPLOYMENT It’s your fight, join us & let’s make the UK YOUth Friendly
If you are 16-24 then youth unemployment should be something you care about, if not for you then for some of the 1 MILLION young people currently NEET. We are working hard to fight youth unemployment but we need you, we want your voices to be at the heart of our work. Become a FREE member of Youth Employment UK CIC, Step Up to our Positive Youth Charter and help us make the difference you want to see.
www.yeuk.org.uk
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To contact Youth Employment UK CIC Business & School membership: ljr@yeuk.org.uk Volunteer Youth Ambassadors: info@yeuk.org.uk To ask for an advertising rate card or to speak about magazine content: info@yeuk.org.uk Visit: www.yeuk.org.uk
Or Call: 08444 143101
The information contained in this e-Magazine is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Youth Employment UK CIC and guest editors/blog producers and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the e-Magazine or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the magazine for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Any views expressed here are not necessarily endorsed by Youth Employment UK CIC, Youth Employment News, Inspire2Exceed, Advertisers, Webmaster or any individuals or organisations. Links outside of Youth Employment UK (external links) are provided for user convenience and do not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Youth Employment UK. All articles on our site are copyrighted material by the authors to include any graphics that are included with them. Photographs are also copyrighted. If you, the reader, have any grievances with any material that is posted on this site, you are responsible for contacting the author in question. This disclaimer is subject to change without notice.
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In our next issue: Marshall Aerospace Apprentices Interview • How businesses are using social media for hiring staff • Are young people being made to choose careers too early? •
Youth Unemployment is an issue for every young person in the UK and through our growing campaign you can get involved and help us make the UK more “Youth Friendly” If we can get thousands of young people to Step Up and sign the Positive Youth Charter we can show the UK that young people are invested in this issue and inspire employers and youth organisations to do the same. Join us at www.yeuk.org.uk
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