British Chambers' new approach to lack of young talent

Today, the British Chambers revealed its skills manifesto, garnering wide media coverage. The story featured in the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, The Mirror, Independent, Metro and others.

Articles picked up on the lighter sides to the release, providing examples where job candidates ask when/where they can take naps at work.

But the manifesto wants to eradicate despondent messages, such as companies blaming schools for failing young people, having not equipped them with appropriate skills, and seeks much higher interaction between pupils and employers.

For children, it wants careers education to start in primary school, thus forming a fully integral part of a youngster’s education.  For companies, it wants far more open doors for apprenticeships, and for increased work-based training. Local Chambers will provide support for enterprises to realise their potential in creating wealth both for their company and the next generation.

There is also the aim to make unemployed people attractive to businesses, with clear definitions between those who are work-ready and those who need further support before entering work.

In order to make all of this a reality, British Chambers, and its fifty-three accredited chambers, will work hand-in-hand with employers, helping them every step of the way when welcoming promising talent into their workplace.

There is a major case for both public and private sectors coming together and building a bridge between businesses and people in school. It is the most efficient way to drive our economy forward. The age of bemoaning the incompetence of school leavers must end, and we should now share the responsibility for reaching out to the younger generation, giving them all the help they can get.