Corporate Vision Issue 2 2019

42 CORPORATE VISION / Issue 2 2019 , How can employers best support schools in preparing young people for the job market? As the UK econo- my is developing and changing, it is vitally important that the skills we are providing our young people with whilst they are at school, accurately reflect the skills that are required in the workplace. However, in 2018, it was reported that nearly 800,000 young people were classed as NEET, Not in Employment, Education or Training. It is clear that a considerable gap occurs for a vast number of young people between them leaving school and securing employment. Not only are these young people a source of untapped talent for employers, but whilst in this limbo, individuals tend to lose self-confidence and skills rapidly. Employers can play a vital role in the shrinking of this gap by working more closely with schools. If secondary schools begin to give young people careers advice right from year 7 by encouraging them to consider possible career options available and show them the importance of their education to their chosen career, young people will leave school ready for the job market. Here are several ways in which employers can work more closely with schools, and better engage with young people as a result. Giving talks about your industry A great way to start working with schools is to organise visits, where you can provide students with valuable industry insight through a brief talk or presenta- tion. The content of this pres- entation could vary depending on the year group you are delivering it to. For example, a talk for year 7 could consist of what your business or sector actually does or discuss a ‘typical day in the life of...’ so these students can get a real idea about what you do and whether it could become a pos- sible career option. As the age group of the students increases, the talk could change its focus to more practical advice, such as how to get into the industry and the skills or experience required. This way, young people are being introduced to different career options and once their interest in your career has been secured, they can then learn what skills and work experience they will need in order to gain the attention of employers in this field when they leave school. This benefits you as an employer as you can show students directly the skills that are required in your field and help to ensure they leave school with these skills if they decide to pursue a role in your sector. Bring them into the workplace Another great way employers can provide practical career guid- ance to young people is to invite them into the workplace. This approach could take different forms, depending on how much time the employer is looking to commit. Initially, taster days could be offered where students, and chaperones, are invited into the workplace to see the activity that goes on in a typical day. Not only does this teach students about what specific industries do on a day-to-day basis, but also shows them how people conduct them- selves in the workplace, which is valuable in any industry. If you are offering these industry tours, make sure the correct safeguard- ing procedures are in place and there is no one-on-one time with students to protect both yourself and the students themselves. Subsequent work experience places could be offered to stu- dents who show a keen interest in the field. They could assist during busy periods or with a large project that is requiring ad- ditional resources. This provides employers with extra support as well as being able to mould the students into someone who could come work for the organisation as soon as they finish school. This gives students increased levels of knowledge about the workplace and additional motiva- tion and confidence to try as hard as they possibly can to reach their career goals. Mock Interviews A final method of collaboration between employers and schools that can be explored is con- ducting mock interviews with the students to give them a real taste of what a job interview is like. The school can prepare the students with sample questions and answers, what they should wear and how they could conduct themselves. The employer can then go to the school and conduct a mock interview with the student and provide them with personalised feedback to improve their technique. Inviting in a real employer would push the student out of their comfort zone and give them that slight pressure that accompanies the interview scenario. Ultimately, this would help the student to get over the fear of the interview situation so when they do leave school, this vitally important part of the process doesn’t let them down. This also gives employers a great insight into the talent that is leaving school that academic year and by participating in this program, employers may be able to gain first refusal on this talent. If the UK wants to continue being a leader on the world’s stage, we need to plug the skills gap that is emerging between our school leavers and meaningful employ- ment. Employers hold the key to lessening, and eventually elimi- nating, this gap by collaborating effectively with schools and supporting the career ambitions of students, so that they emerge from education with the skills needed to excel in their chosen industry.