Employers ‘should work with schools’

Workplaces should collaborate with secondary schools and universities to ensure young people are getting the training they need for the future, according to one expert.

A recent report by Capita Learning & Development revealed that more than two-thirds of managers think poor staff skills will be the biggest problem during the economic downturn.

This is not surprising to the men behind Ratemyplacement.co.uk, a student internship website.

Co-founder Chris Wickson said more should be done to emphasise employability skills in secondary schools and ensure education works together with industry.

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“If the two coordinated their strategies a lot closer I think that students would be coming out better equipped for the workplace,” he added, suggesting that studies could be more closely related to real-life situations.

He explained that the difference between theory and “the real world” is a shock for many graduates, who find it hard to cope and may not be able to pick up many key skills at university.

Posted by Hayley Edwards