Careers Scotland is strengthening the support it gives to young people in a bid to improve employment rates among Scotland's teenagers. From 1 April 2006 it is increasing its activities to reduce and prevent the number of 16 to 19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (sometimes known as the NEET group).
In response to employers, the organisation is putting more focus on better preparing young people for the world of work and is moving away from administering job vacancies. Research has shown that employers in Scotland believe that many young people are not prepared for work and do not have the employability skills necessary to become successful employees.
Julie-Anne Jamieson, head of employability, Careers Scotland, said: "We have listened to Scotland's employers. In the last three years, our colleagues in Futureskills Scotland have spoken to 19,000 businesses and organisations and they have consistently said that school leavers have the wrong attitude to the world of work and are unprepared for the workplace. We therefore do not believe that administering a small number of job vacancies is providing young people with the support that they require. Our new focus aims to make young people ready for working life and help them get connected to the full range of opportunities."
To reflect employers' demands, Careers Scotland will provide more employability support for unemployed young people through targeted interventions that will include WorkNet, a motivational programme that aims to equip its participants with the confidence and ability to choose a realistic career path. Advisers will produce a plan of action for each young person that will be developed and implemented dependent on their individual needs and their progress will be followed up to ensure that they successfully sustain work and do not drop out of the labour market.
Julie-Anne continued: "We know that finding a job vacancy is not always the most significant barrier for young people when they are planning their career. It is having the skills to make the right choice, to be successful in job applications and more importantly keep a job that is crucial.
"More than half of all the jobs available in Scotland in any year are not advertised, as many opportunities are available in what is known as the 'hidden" jobs market; that is jobs that are filled through word of mouth among friends and families and through speculative applications. That's why it is important for us to change our emphasis to support young people to develop their skills to seek out and find opportunities wherever they are."
To ensure that young people have access to a wide range of employers and training providers, Careers Scotland, working with other agencies, is increasing its support of recruitment events across the country to help get businesses and job seekers connected at key times of the year.
It is anticipated that the new focus will give Scotland's young people a better chance of getting connected with a whole range of vacancies and give them the confidence and skills to apply successfully for the right opportunities. There is already evidence that Scotland's employers are behind the changes. Susan Andrews, Lifelong Learning Executive, Scottish Engineering, said:
"Young people are the future of a successful Scottish economy, and Scottish Engineering strongly supports a greater focus on the preparation of young people for the workplace. We are looking forward to working with Careers Scotland, schools and other partners to ensure that young people have the skills to be valuable employees to the manufacturing/engineering industry."
Hugh McCafferty, Area Manager, CITB Scotland (West), said: "As Scotland's organisation representing the construction industry, one of our key challenges is to ensure that the industry has the right people with the right skills. Our members have identified that many young people are unprepared for the workplace and we are pleased that Careers Scotland is refocusing its activities to ensure that future employees have the right attitude and skills for our industry and the country."
