Employers are becoming increasingly skeptical about the value of taking on young people and the expectations they have for junior staff are often not matched by the credentials or performances of those they take on.

Much is discussed in the media about the lack of commitment shown by young people; their inability to communicate; and their unwillingness to take responsibility. It can be a great shock for many who have been used to a cosseted student life to find themselves in the demanding world of business and many struggle to cope with the expectations placed upon them.

 

The concern for young people is that there is a rise in unemployment figures while job opportunities are not in such a ready supply. In this age of austerity, businesses cannot afford simply to take on young staff and train them – they need people who can start contributing to the success of their business straight away. Unfortunately, most universities and colleges are not providing the necessary training to ensure young people have the requisite skills to help businesses to thrive and grow.

Education fails so many young people because it measures only examination competence rather than focuses on the vocational skills required for young people to gain employment and the need to work on their own personal development. The government also needs to continue to look at ways that they can make it more attractive for employers to take on a young person, ensuring that bureaucracy is kept at a minimum. 

We sit down with employers on a regular basis to determine the ever-changing skills required for young people to enter the job market. Time and time again strong IT skills, business awareness, oral and written skills and importantly understanding oneself prove to be top of the list. 

I see no reason why recruitment and apprenticeships cannot work together, but internships have to be thought through and there needs to be a clear definition of the person's role and reporting guidelines to ask for advice. They should be within a specific timeframe with agreed outcomes such as a detailed reference of how the individual performed, or employment either on a temporary or permanent contract. Employers have to believe that the best way to get the right workforce is to invest in the training of those that they employ.

 

Our recruitment team works with our apprentices for a minimum of 12 weeks, which gives us the opportunity to get to know them extremely well and learn where their particular strengths lie. They are essentially completing a 12-week assessment centre from an employer's point of view. It is important for young people to be placed in a role that will suit them long term, rather than just for six months, therefore they need the necessary training and guidance to start a career in something they can progress in.

The employment world has changed significantly over the last 10 years. There is less stability in employment nowadays, goal posts are always changing and inevitably that brings a feeling of uncertainty for individuals. It is more competitive now for young people than it has ever been and the need for appropriate training to enter the workplace is vital if we are to produce the business leaders of the future.