Joining the Dots- Connecting with Employers

What is a young person to do?

With the rising cost of University and the decline of jobs for young people what is the future generation to do?

Recent information on the economy from the government suggests that

although GDP grew in Q3 2012, inflation also grew significantly too, from 2.2 to 2.7%. Consumer spending continues to fall and unemployment is at 8.2% with youth unemployment at 21% - more than 1 in 5 young people are out of work.

What does this mean? It means that times are still hard and likely to remain so for some time to come. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Well, I believe there is…

There are opportunities out there for young people, but the million-dollar issue seems to be connecting the unemployed young people with the opportunities that are available for them. For example: recent figures in Central Bedfordshire suggested that in October last year there were about 3,000 unemployed young people and yet 1,756 unfilled vacancies. West Herts College in Watford reported that around 30% of apprenticeship opportunities went unfilled last year.

What needs to be done to “join the dots”?

Job readiness programmes would best serve our young people by teaching them how to fill out CV’s properly and how to communicate effectively with potential employers or apprenticeships. Young people often need support with many of the “soft skill” areas needed to secure these jobs/ apprenticeships.

Focus on what’s important, such as:

〈        Boost their confidence and make them feel able to apply

〈        Help them through some of the technical “hoops” to apply

〈        Help them to be resilient and overcome circumstances (or people) they find difficult that form barriers to them getting, or staying in jobs / apprenticeships

Eureka bespoke programmes are here to help young people with all of this.. Eureka provides rounded and practical support to young people on a technical skills and support basis. We engage young people by listening to what it is they want and what they feel their needs are. We then make sure to cover all the key points: CV’s, interview skills, communication, how to fill out an application on line and hard copy, how to dress, and so much more.

The skills needed are necessary for any job application and/or interview as a first step process. Many young people are discouraged because they cannot even get an interview. Rejection is difficult for adults and repeated rejection can really discourage a young person from even trying. It is time we all had a look at what we can do to “connect the dots” for our young people, for it is they, who will create our future…