Lack of 'soft skills' may be holding some young people back in the workplace
Some young people lack soft skills and struggle to communicate with colleagues or customers due to anxiety or a lack of confidence, a Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub conference has heard.
Writing emails and speaking to people on the phone are among the tasks that employers say young people can find challenging in the workplace but that remain important - despite the rise of AI.
The shortage of soft skills among young workers was among the subjects discussed at the Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub conference at Barnham Broome Hotel on Tuesday 15 July, with some of the participating employers signalling a desire to address the issue in the pledges they made at the event.
Chapel Green School in Old Buckenham vowed to identify opportunities within its existing curriculum for developing the soft skills employers are looking for, while Attleborough Academy pledged to encourage soft skill application practice.
Other pledges from employers included offering more meaningful work experience opportunities and working with schools and community groups to make work expectations clearer and ensure students are better prepared for the world of work.
Work experience reforms under which students will be expected to finish high school with 50+ hours of work experience and work-related activities were also discussed, along with the need to support young people with health conditions into employment.
Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub improves careers education for young people by working directly with schools, colleges, apprenticeships providers and employers.
Enterprise Coordinator Jade Hall said: "It is vital that employers and schools work together and discuss these issues so that students have the skills they will need in the workplace, including soft skills.
"One of the roles of the Careers Hub is to open up the work experience and other opportunities available to students so they can think about the kind of jobs they might want and leave school work-ready."
Sarah Woolley, Assistant Business Development Manager and Social Value at construction company Kier said: "It was such an engaging day - really well set up. I loved being part of the company insight session and chatting with people around our table about work experience. There were some brilliant questions and comments - a great atmosphere all round!"
Flight Lieutenant Sarah Duffy, Royal Air Force OC Careers Engagement Midlands commented: "The Careers Hub is a force multiplier, facilitating effective and informed discussion between employers and educators to ensure young people are better informed about career choices and supported with preparation into the workforce."
