August2014

Page 20

SKILLS PAY THE BILLS WRITTEN BY JOHN, LORD TAYLOR OF WARWICK

“Black people don’t become Barristers. Don’t you think you

was presenting my own programmes for BBC television and radio. It

should set your sights a little lower?” That was the less than inspiring

was the practical experience that persuaded me to make the switch

Careers Advice I was given at 16 years of age, when I told one of my

from law to journalism. The Government now seems to have grasped

teachers I wished to become a lawyer. Fortunately I did not listen

the importance of schools, colleges and universities engaging with

to him and achieved my goals. But decades later we are still failing

local employers and professional groups.

young people in preparing them for the world of work.

There has to be a planned programme of employer engagement

On 10 April, Matthew Hancock, the then Minister for Skills and

which gives students an opportunity to hear directly from

Enterprise made an announcement in the House of Commons which

professionals and be inspired by role models. Linking with different

was monumental and earth shattering, in the degree it was ignored by

sized companies or organisations will demonstrate the broad

virtually all media outlets. But unlike many Government statements,

range of careers available. Inviting employer representatives to

this was a pivotal one. It was an admission that education and

schools and colleges will help bring occupations to life. Inspirational

skills systems need reform, to better prepare our young people for

speakers can give young people who may not have role models in

jobs. As a former College lecturer and Chancellor of Bournemouth

their own families or networks, a chance to get more insight into

University, I am only too aware that far more needs to be done to

different careers. For example STEMNET creates opportunities to

bridge the existing gap between education and employers.

inspire young people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering

Over the past few decades, under Labour and Conservative administrations,

the

education

pathways

have

become

and Maths) by linking people in STEM careers with teachers and

so

lecturers. STEMNET’S network of STEM Ambassadors comprises

complicated that even Sherlock Holmes would struggle to discover

over 27,000 volunteers. 40% of STEM Ambassadors are women, 13

the clues to entangling them. For the first time in living memory, the

% are ethnic minority and 60% are under 35 years of age.

Government set out a clear framework for the provision of guidance

It is never too young to start the process of linking education to

to be given by our educators. The guidance actually emphasised

jobs. I was born and raised in Paradise…..Birmingham in the West

there should be a direct link between education and employment! It

Midlands. Small Heath School has been a member of the Greater

even went further, by stating that students need to be given direct

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce for 20 years and receives regular

experience of the world of work and a clear view of what the labour

invitations to networking events, organised by the Chamber and

market needs.

other business organisations. Through these meetings the school

I am the product of a Grammar School Education, which gave me

was introduced to Russell Jones, Director of Marketing at Aston Villa

a solid academic foundation. But at school and even at university, I

Football Club. As a staunch supporter of Villa since I was a child,

had little understanding of what real life careers were like. It was only

I perhaps am one of the few who recognises Aston Villa as truly

after some years as a lawyer that I decided to get some unpaid work

the greatest team in the world. But setting aside my partisanship,

experience at the BBC, just to feel for myself what daily life is like for

the school was given the opportunity to help market Villa’s Junior

a television journalist. It inspired me so much that within months I

Supporters scheme more effectively. This was not just a school

20 | Endeavour Magazine


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