Problem statement
Addressed problem: Helping young people prepare for working life
Basic skills training and opportunities to experience the work place can help young people prepare for working life and support their transition from education to employment. It can help young people develop the types of behaviours, attitudes and skills that employers require from day one. These include basic literacy, maths and IT skills as well as essential life skills such as time-management, problem solving, good communication skills, and understanding the requirements and culture of the workplace.
In order to become ‘employable’, young people also need a set of behaviours and attitudes - these include being flexible, adaptable, pro-active, positive and motivated. Without these basic skills, behaviours and attitudes, young people may struggle to integrate into a company. They may be at risk of disengagement, early leaving or contract termination (in the case of apprentices).
Beneficiaries
All young people can benefit from activities that focus on developing basic skills, behaviours and attitudes in preparation for the workplace. These activities might be particularly helpful for young people who are at risk of early leaving due to performance issues, and for those learners who are uncertain about their career aspirations.
Addressing the problem
What makes work-readiness measures effective?
The following tips are offered to policy makers and practitioners involved in the design and delivery of such measures. The information is based on Cedefop research into successful measures.
There are a range of activities that can be developed with the aim of preparing young people for working life and supporting their transition from education to employment. In practice, this means introducing a range of opportunities for young people to experience the workplace. Such initiatives can be organised and delivered in different ways and in different settings. For example:
- Taster sessions (opportunities to try different orientations based on learners’ interests and capacities)
- Practical training/work placements with employers to experience the world of work
- Introducing business/enterprise studies into the curriculum
- School-based VET programmes to provide real opportunities and support for learners interested in starting up a business
Measures can be integrated into existing programmes or designed as a stand-alone measures offered over different durations (e.g. one year, one term, after school).
Measures to develop ‘work-readiness’ may include a combination of basic skills and activities that focus on developing behaviours and attitudes employers expect from young people when they enter the workplace.
Therefore, it is important to tailor measures to meet the needs of the individual. Some individuals may require measures that primarily focus on developing emotional skills before focusing on social skills (behaviours and attitudes) and/or employability skills. Certain measures may be useful to address motivational issues or sharing experiences of learning and study techniques, etc.
Some learners may benefit from diversified support measures. These may require input from specialist professionals or via outreach. Case management and/or individualised pathways can ensure measures are tailored to the specific needs of the individual learner.
All measures to develop ‘work-readiness’ should include enhancing employability skills in their overall aims. They should also contain a focus on motivation, building self-confidence and self-esteem to help build a range of skills, and personal qualities to support learners in their overall integration to the workplace. Such interventions could relate to:
- Job search, CV preparation, interview techniques
- Getting to know the workplace
- Relationship building
- Conflict resolution
- Leadership skills
- Communications skills
- Citizenship
- Health and well-being
- Problem-solving and self-regulation
Initiatives may be unique to the individual or there may be a requirement for group-cohort type initiatives (for instance, for young people with disabilities, young unemployed, disadvantaged young people). These can be delivered in small groups; or a one-to-one basis. They may involve input from specialist support staff and/or community based agencies/stakeholders.
Expected outcomes
Activities to develop work-readiness will support learners in their overall integration to the workplace. It will help them build positive attitudes and behaviours towards the world of work. It will improve their sense of attachment to an organisation and help them develop employment relationships and to understand what it is like to be in the workplace and how to behave. It will also help them to make informed decisions about their future career prospects.
The following outcomes can be expected at different levels:
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