In early November the Government warned that youth unemployment has reached crisis levels and there are plans to invest in apprentice schemes to help young people find the roles that suit them.
Whilst the figures outline the challenges facing young people, it is important for them to consider all options when searching for employment.
The pressure on students fighting for university places continues and the recently-increased tuition fees create their own challenges. With the growing number of unemployed young people, this has led to some employers voicing their concerns over the quality and relevance of some degrees in the business world.
But employers aren't necessarily looking for degrees in potential young employees and not all jobs require a traditional manual apprenticeship.
New businesses, often short of vast funds to support their growth, want value for money. But they also want young people who can hit the ground running and provide them with the quick results that will justify their appointment in the first place.
Will a graduate who has been used to studying for 8-12 hours a week really be able to step up to the demands of a small or new business?
How will they cope with the range of business skills expected of them from an early stage?
The fact is that most universities and colleges do not equip students with the necessary level of training needed to help businesses to thrive and grow.
The majority of universities and colleges do not provide work experience for their students and so there is always going to be a period of adjustment when graduates start their first job.
It is almost impossible for young people to find an employer that does not require previous experience before even considering them for an interview. This may seem unfair to all the young people seeking employment, but employers are in a position to do this due to the increasing demand for jobs.
Often at universities and colleges, students only learn the basics of what business employers are looking for. Most of the courses are theoretical, leaving no room for the practical skills needed for young people to flourish in the work place.
At Quest Professional we accept graduates who want to boost their employment chances and we can also take a 16 year old straight after their GCSEs and get them a job starting on £18,000 a year in 36 weeks.
All of our courses evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the modern workplace. Our training offers a complete range of skills that ensures candidates can undertake a variety of roles, which is so vitally important in the competitive jobs market, such as marketing, finance and strategic planning.
Young people will benefit from getting as wide a range of experience and skills as possible before getting to the stage where they need to look for work.
Practical work experience for young people provides employers with a ‘try before you buy' option. For young people to make the most out of their unemployment situation, gaining some valuable experience in a company where they want to progress is vital.
Young people need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn and prepared to take on any task they are presented with. Employers are often wary of taking on young people, but work experience is the perfect opportunity for them to shine and show how they can make a difference to their business.
Jo Barnard, Director at Quest Professional
