Imagine believing that landing a job is a skill you can learn – almost like mastering a musical instrument. That's the perspective of one Wolverhampton teenager, and it raises a crucial question: are we adequately preparing young people for the workforce?
Josh Sandiford reports from Wolverhampton on the experience of Tristan, a 17-year-old who describes himself as an "Art-o-holic." Tristan spends much of his time at The Way Youth Zone, a hub where he hones his artistic talents. For the past three years, he's been a regular fixture in the art room, passionately working on his designs. Currently studying art at the City of Wolverhampton College, Tristan dreams of a future creating children's books and comics.
"I have a universe in my head, I just have to get it out somehow or someway," he shared with the BBC, highlighting the burning desire to express his creativity.
The Way Youth Zone has been instrumental in Tristan's personal growth, fostering his self-expression and boosting his confidence. "Before I was more closed in," he explains. "I tended to go to the activities I enjoyed but I didn't really speak to people as much… It allows me to be myself. I'm not trying to hide myself and keep a shade over me." This newfound confidence is now fueling his desire to find a part-time job and gain valuable work experience.
Tristan's story comes at a time when the government is renewing its focus on NEETs – young people Not in Employment, Education, or Training. Alarmingly, nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds fall into this category. To combat this issue, the government has pledged to create 50,000 youth apprenticeships over the next three years.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is simply creating apprenticeships enough? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink how we equip young people with the skills to navigate the job market successfully?
Tristan's friends seem to lean towards the latter. "Some of my friends in secondary [school] were doing jobs as well and said it was quite hard to find one," Tristan noted. "They were saying it's a whole skill to find a job. But they did end up finding one in the end and doing pretty good." Their experience suggests that the job search itself is a competency that needs to be developed.
During the BBC's visit, The Way was a vibrant scene of activity. Young people were engaged in games, socializing, and enjoying the hot meals provided seven days a week. In a quieter space upstairs, engineers from Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) Wolverhampton factory were volunteering their time to run an engine workshop for the youth.
And this is the part most people miss... The JLR engineers aren't just teaching technical skills; they're also providing mentorship and exposure to potential career paths.
This initiative is part of a larger partnership between the JLR Foundation and OnSide, the youth center's parent organization, with JLR investing £250,000 in The Way. The goal is to reach over 2,500 young people annually, offering them opportunities to transition into the workforce. JLR's Foundation, recently established, aims to address the statistics surrounding NEETs by providing targeted support.
"We know it's really important, given the statistics around young people who are not in education, employment or training at the moment," said foundation director Laura Brown.
Rebecca Bunger, head of youth work and partnerships at The Way, welcomes the government's renewed attention on NEETs, emphasizing the need for increased funding. "We've seen a lot less investment in young people over the last 15 or 20 years," she stated. "When businesses and organizations like Jaguar Land Rover Foundation put their hand in their pocket and demonstrate their support to our young people, that makes me really excited."
What do you think? Is finding a job truly a skill that needs to be taught? Should businesses play a more active role in preparing young people for employment? And what other strategies could be implemented to reduce the number of NEETs? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's discuss.
