The Financial and Legal Skills Partnership believes it is critically important that young people are encouraged by both education providers and employers to develop the advanced skills needed to find full employment in an increasingly competitive jobs market.
Liz Field, CEO of the Financial & Legal Skills Partnership, echoes Skills Minister Matthew Hancock’s recent comments, following release of the Careers Guidance Action Plan, on the need for schools and colleges to put young people into the world of work.
Liz Field says, “As the economic momentum starts to build, we need to create sustainable, full-time work for our young people, this new generation on the threshold of careers. And these need to be real jobs, in which they can take pride and satisfaction, and feel secure. Schools and colleges can play a very important role in putting young people in touch with the world of work to inspire them about their futures, creating new worlds of opportunity and expanding their horizons to help them make fully informed decisions.”
The Financial & Legal Skills Partnership is a UK Government-licensed skills organisation, which proactively supports the development of a skilled workforce in the UK’s financial, legal and accountancy sectors. The Careers Guidance Action Plan (released September 10th) provides the Government’s response to the recommendations in Ofsted’s report, Going in the right direction? Careers guidance in schools from September 2012, which was published in September 2013, and the earlier (June 2013) National Careers Council An Aspirational Nation.
Liz Fields continues, “With official figures from The Office for National Statistics showing that national unemployment now stands at 2.49 million, it is critical we support young people in learning the sought-after skills needed by employers, and in developing deeper connections in the world of work. By doing so, we can empower them to get full-time employment, with good working conditions and a realistic income that provides a reasonable standard of living.”
In announcing new action to improve careers guidance by holding schools to account, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said it was vital that employers worked with schools and colleges to ensure all young people received high-quality careers advice – with employers taking centre stage in inspiring young people to get on in life.
Liz Fields concludes: “All business sectors benefit from working with enthusiastic people, who are bursting with bright, innovative ideas. Our experience with young people shows that, in the main, they are willing to invest time and energy to gain the right training and skills to improve their opportunities in the marketplace. We must ensure they can access the guidance, information and practical tools needed to develop their confidence and potential. This can range from work experience and apprenticeships to virtual learning and graduate colleges.
“As we encourage and support young people in building their skills for jobs – not just in our sector, but also across the wider economy – we can help them realise their potential for creating a successful, fulfilling career. In turn, their confidence, and enthusiasm for the future, will result in continued business growth, helping the country sustain commercially-dynamic industries in the face of a globally competitive market.”
