The Importance of Employability to Young People

The coming tragedy for a generation at risk

Western society places a huge emphasis on the role of work when considering the identity and value of a person. Whilst we can see this easily from an anecdotal perspective, just look at the way in which we introduce one another; “Harry is a librarian …”, there is a strong argument that work also plays a central role in the development, expression and maintenance of our psychological wellbeing.

The current economic situation has left many new entrants to the workforce in a state of long term employment.  In the UK, we know that at the end of 2011 youth unemployment rates are staggeringly high.  21.9% of the 16-25 age group are currently unemployed and this figure is likely to rise over the next 12 months according to some analysts.

I believe that the situation in the UK is creating, if not a generation, then a significant group in society at huge risk.  The risk not merely from the psychological effects of unemployment, although these are bad enough, but more importantly at risk from a government policy that maintains the situation through spending cuts and the lack of thinking about the employability of our young people.

Careers Education and the independent information, advice and guidance services have been severely cut.  Now many could argue that the services such as Connexions left much to be desired, but what is left is an expectation that schools will fill the gap without real expertise or budget.

The days of the “careers interview” in schools may be far behind but the vacuum remains where young people have no idea about career options, routes to careers, how to get a job and most importantly, how to be employable.

If you look into the world of recruitment you will see that many adults struggle to project an employable image yet are thankfully redeemed by experience or personal connections, but young people leaving schools, colleges and even universities have even less idea of what it takes to join the world of work.  They have unrealistic expectations about many aspects of life and work and have often only the school experience of being prepared for examination results rather than real-world success.  A survey by the Chartered Management Institute indicated that employers encounter problems with discipline and punctuality (61%), workplace skills (63%) and attitude and ambition (66%).

Whilst schools must not be held solely accountable for this position, it is true to say that the results-driven nature of the education system has a clear impact; exam result league tables do net tell the story of what happens to young people as they enter the world of work.

We face a tragedy in the making, the creation of a significant proportion of the available workforce that is both demotivated and demoralised yet lacking the real skills necessary to change their circumstances.

Whilst we can’t change the economic climate easily, surely we should still better prepare our young people for the world of work; there are skills shortages and jobs available and our young people should be the most agile and versatile in society to react, but we aren’t preparing them with skills, attitude or the necessary resilience to cope with it.

This is why I have taken the step of becoming a licenced partner of InspireEducation to deliver skills training in areas of employability that both equips and motivates young people towards their future.  Are you inclined to do anything?