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