Youth unemployment - why?

The latest unemployment figures make depressing reading if you are under 24, with 1 in 5 young people now being unemployed. Whilst the headlines will trumpet this fact, the reality is that youth unemployment has been on an upwards trend for many years, even in the "boom" times. Indeed given the greater numbers of university entrants now, perhaps the real amount of young people "not in employment" is much higher.

So why has this come about? For too long now younger members of society have been poorly treated by our generation, which seems to have forgotten the reason and importance of education as a preparation for the world of work. An obsession with league tables and exam passes, which can easily be manipulated, has led us to produce a cadre of young people who emerge into the real world of earning a living with the wide eyed gaze of a new born baby.

Now is the time to put aside ideological and political standpoints and agree a cross party approach to education which will not be touched for the next 10-15 years. If there is one element of our society which is calling out for a carefully thought through and implemented strategy it is education. For too long we have tolerated political tinkering (from all parties), the creeping influence of ideological views, poor teaching and incorrect investment.  Despite this there are numerous examples of clear thought, inspirational teachers and an understanding with business - just not enough to make a real difference.

I have taken a keen interest in the links between education and industry for many years now and can understand the frustration on both sides who are encumbered with a state of affairs which is not remotely fit for purpose. Perhaps the only league table that should be produced is how many pupils are engaged in gainful employment within 12 months of leaving school or university. At least then we can judge which schools prepare their young people for life beyond education. Of course there are many more factors to take into account but without a clear vision as to the purpose of education, from primary school to university, we are destined to retain high youth unemployment which is a crushing burden on society. If only a fraction of this money was invested into preventing unemployment everyone would be better off.

However any readjustment cannot be subject to the winds of political change, hence the need for a national education strategy agreed by all and with safeguards enshrined in legislation which prevents political meddling!

I employ 90 people - with a young average age. Recently we advertised entry grade positions and had 400 applications. Most were rejected through not meeting the simple instructions requested, poor spelling and CV's produced in something akin to text speak. Those individuals who were successful have been a delight to work with; enthusiastic, hardworking, willing to learn and bursting with potential. Academic qualifications do not mean a thing if there is no personality or social skills to accompany them - this is where many young people fall down.

We have a wonderful resource in our young people but now is the time to harness this and use it to build a bright future. The question is how many self interested politicians, antiquated union barons and short sighted CEO's will put aside their posturing to secure a great future for every young person leaving education?

Work experience - to be endured or enjoyed?

It is interesting to note a subtle debate which is bubbling under the radar relating to the subject of do people learn through experience or via specific interventions such as training courses etc. As with most debates of this nature I suggest that the answer lies somewhere in between the two extremes but I would like to focus on one element which is close to my heart - work experience.

I do tend to believe more in that behaviour is dictated by experience and thus work experience in my view is vital for young people. Unfortunately in too many cases work experience is treated in a "block" fashion with it being seen as a logistics exercise by schools, businesses and local authorities rather than a vital step in encouraging young people and explaining the world of work in a manner designed to inspire.

Of course there are numerous examples of good practice and work experience placements which have led to permanent jobs but for many young people work experience is an event to be endured rather than savoured.

If we think back in our own lives there will be some episodes which stand out as life changing in their impact and often these are based around an inspiring individual be it teacher, mentor or boss. If you ask successful leaders how they have learnt through their career they will often mention their first work experience. It could have been a school placement or indeed their own after school or holiday job but in most cases the experience sticks and acts as a powerful motivator either to be replicated or avoided!

I want to see every work placement tailored to a students needs and devised to inspire. At the time of work experience our young people are at an impressionable age and memories - good or bad - will stick for life. The influence of people at work will be remembered and it is important that businesses understand this and place young people with their most inspiring staff members - at whatever level in the company.

Work can come as a shock; the punctuality, dress, pressure and schedules will be totally different from what they are used to at school and so each young person should be adequately briefed by their teachers prior to starting and all experiences logged to help improve future placements. As I have mentioned this is not the norm due a wide variety of factors but we must never lose sight of why young people attend school - to prepare them for work.

We need to build a much stronger partnership between the world of work and academia, if we do that then our future will be in good hands.

A waste of our young talent?

"Enterprise in Education" is an area which has always facinated me - ever since my time in school! There is no doubt that the concept of ensuring that our young people are shown the benefits of enterprising behaviour is a good one. My problem is with how it is being implemented. Like so many initiatives it gets watered down as it passes through various bodies until it is no longer recognisable.

I have come across several schools that display truly inspirational leadership in this field and I will return to them in the future. But why is it that so few schools want to embrace what is one of the key skills required for any job seeker or fledgling entrepreneur?

I can only speak in broad terms on this subject and I acknowledge that there will always be exceptions. Each secondary school has a budget for enterprise (c£15k on average) and as befits the subject has full authority to spend it as it sees fit. If you look at the Teachernet site which gives guidance on the subject it is enough to drive any businessman to tears of frustration. There is little innovation evidenced, a propensity to gravitate to links with other educational institutions, and well worn tilts towards "ticking the box".

This is a subject where the major industry bodies, BERR and individual companies need to wrestle the agenda away from DCSF. There needs to be fresh thinking in this arena and more political will expended to become a truly enterprising society. So many children are enterprising in different ways and yet instead of harnessing this we seek to squeeze it out of them in an attempt to conform.

How many successful entrepreneurs were "straight A" students at school? How many were considered "troublesome"? I will bet that the latter far exceeds the former. Now is the time for us to develop the type of individuals who will make a real difference to our future by fostering and encouraging enterprise in its varied forms. EVERY school should have a clear enterprise programme which is evidenced day by day in the ethos of the school.

As a company we find it very difficult to offer our help to schools as there is little desire to work with industry apart from the annual work experience request. So what is the solution? Well we need to start off by engaging the teachers, enthusing them and showing how it will benefit them and their students. Without the active support of teaching staff this experiment will go nowhere. The question is do we start with a few and then let the message spread or try all at once? I would suggest that the budgets are withdrawn and reallocated to schools who produce a plan of action on what they will do. Make it a competition and it will attract the enterprising schools who will get a decent amount of money to deliver their aims. Next year the winning schools have to partner with a non participating school and spread the practice and so on. Parents will soon get to know if their school is dragging its feet!

Too radical to implement no doubt!