The 360 Recruitment Advertising Blog

I was at an appointment for some medical treatment and was asked if I minded a 6th former sitting in as she was on work experience. Being interested in Education, the employment market and young people’s view of the current situation I asked her what she wanted to do next. She said she wanted to train in medicine and that she had been lucky to get this placement as her mother was a nurse and put a word in for her.

She had seen the recent Panorama about the explosion of population (is Britain full?) and was concerned as to her future employment prospects.

There was no meaningful contact with Businesses; Career advice was not helpful so there was no goal to aim for. Choosing a University course (if places were available) was made difficult because of this lack of knowledge of what is needed in the workforce of the future.

Some employers do have contact with local schools, colleges and universities but this does not seem the case in a large number of schools.

We should not have to look abroad for our stars of the future, there are plenty of bright, willing young people that just need directing. As employers we must do something about this waste of potential talent. Some schools and businesses are waking up to the fact that joint ventures can be a benefit to both but there needs to be more momentum. With the internet there is a vast amount of information available but this does not seem to help in the choice of career direction. Career exhibitions do have some impact ( although a lot don’t go) but it is imperative that young people have some idea of what may be available and expected of them after education, especially if University places are not available.

If we as employers do not engage more with our future workforce then who do we have to blame if there are shortages in the skills we need?

Maureen