A recent report has found that young people are being inadequately prepared for working life in education, and with UK employers reluctant to invest in training, we could be on the brink of a skills crisis.
There’s varied reasons that education alone doesn’t hit the mark anymore for young people. Although more people are taking up formal education, these courses don’t necessarily equip people with the right skills, and typically employers will target graduates in the technology and finance sectors only. For those who don’t choose further education, typically they initially at least can only find work in unskilled employment with low career prospects.
So how can UK businesses change things?
Early intervention: UK businesses need to do more to engage with local educational organisations, identifying the skills needs in their businesses and working with local educators to inspire young people.
It’s all about learning. UK businesses need to accept the threat of a skills shortage and introduce a culture of learning within their organisations.
Digital is a must. With digital becoming such a huge part of our day to day lives, UK businesses need to champion digital skills throughout.
Is your recruiting process accessible? UK businesses must work to reduce bias in their recruitment process and target their searches accordingly to reach not only young people but people from all walks of life.
It’s time for UK businesses to invest in young people to avoid a skills shortage and continue to be successful.
For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how FS1 can support your business, contact us on 01908 787 560 or hello@fs1recruitment.com.