Youngsters want to prove themselves to employers

A new poll conducted by ICM Research out today finds 72% of young people questioned in the South West want more employers to offer them work experience. Furthermore, nearly half (44%) of those polled say they would like the chance to show a potential employer what they can do by doing work experience with them, rather than just selling their skills on an application form or CV.

Launched last year, Traineeships are providing that chance to young people by creating new opportunities for them to gain vital experience in the workplace.  The programme provides them with the work experience, work preparation training and maths and English skills needed to get an Apprenticeship or other job.

As part of a Traineeship, trainees are also given work preparation training which includes CV writing and interview skills. And the poll goes on to show how young people want help from employers in this area. It finds 64% of young people questioned in the region want detailed feedback on their application/interview if they are unsuccessful and half (51%) of those questioned would like more information before an interview to help them prepare (for instance what to wear and how long it might take).

Moreover, an additional poll of 501 employers in England reveals how they are adapting their recruitment techniques to get the most from young candidates, such as would be trainees and apprentices.  Of the employers questioned:

•       22% have made the interview process less formal to encourage young candidates to open up
•       23% now provide more detailed feedback to unsuccessful candidates
•       18% provide training and guidance to line managers to help them interview young people.

Traineeships were developed to help young people in Exeter aged 16 to 23 (16 to 24 from August 2014) improve their employability prospects and unlock their potential. For employers, Traineeships offer a way to raise awareness of their sector and the skills needed to enter.  Hundreds of employers, including the BBC, BT, National Grid, Everton in the Community, Jaguar Land Rover, Port of Tilbury, Siemens and Virgin Media have already committed to helping young people through the Traineeship programme get their first taste of work in their organisations.

Natalia Wrona, aged 17 from Nottingham, completed a Traineeship last year.  This involved a work experience placement at Hollies Day Nursery and also workplace preparation training with Access Training.  When an opportunity for an Apprenticeship came up at another childcare organisation, Natalia was able to apply for it in knowing that she now had relevant experience and the right skills to secure the position.  Her application was successful, and she began an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Workforce in September 2013.

Natalia said: “It was great to get involved and get some experience of working in a childcare setting. I also didn’t really know how to prepare for an interview, or what to expect, and this was really holding me back, so receiving training in those helped a lot.”