Traineeships can provide young people with the skills employers want
11 Apr 2014 02:56 PM
A new poll out today
indicates that traineeships can give young people the skills and work
experience to help them get a job.
The ICM Research survey shows
that providing opportunities for young people to develop their interview skills
and get some work experience under their belts, could help them secure
employment.
Over half (59%) of the employers
polled said they had hired young people into entry level positions in the last
five years, with 54% of these saying this was because the young recruit had
prepared well for the interview.
Furthermore, 2 in every 5 of all
employers surveyed said they would be more likely to recruit a young person or
school leaver who had done at least 6 weeks’ high quality work
experience.
Traineeships were launched last
year to help young people improve their employability prospects and unlock
their potential. A traineeship provides the work preparation training, work
experience and support with English and maths skills needed to get an
apprenticeship or other job. They are delivered by training organisations with
the content tailored to the needs of the business and
individual.
The study also suggests the
introduction of traineeships could even encourage employers to create more jobs
for young people. Almost half (49%) of employers polled would consider creating
a brand new role for a young person that impressed them during a work
experience placement.
Skills and enterprise minster,
Matthew Hancock commented:
Creating more opportunities for
young people to gain experience and confidence is crucial if we want to help
them secure employment. Traineeships could be the difference which gives these
young people their first break, unlocking their potential and giving them the
work experience employers are looking for.
However, it’s not just
about work experience, the work preparation training offered through the
traineeship such as CV writing and interview skills, together with English and
maths, is of equal importance. It’s all part of our long term economic
plan to help young people reach their potential.
The poll also provides employer
insight into the other ways traineeships can help young people improve their
chances of securing work. It finds:
- 74% of employers surveyed would
be more likely to recruit a young person or school leaver if they had prepared
well for an interview
- 48% of the employers polled
would be more likely to recruit a young person or school leaver if they had a
good reference from an employer or training organisation
- 45% of the firms surveyed say an
eye-catching and well-thought out CV would improve a young candidate’s
chances of securing role
Hundreds of employers, including
the BBC, BT, Hollies Day Nursery, Port of Tilbury, Siemens and Virgin Media
have already committed to helping young people through the Traineeship
programme.
Employers can find out how they
can take on their first trainee and help develop talented young people with the
practical skills they need for the workplace.