Edge Forum

Wednesday 11th November, 2009

A Question of Employment

By Admin

Members of the Edge Learner Forum (ELF) hosted a version of Question Time on November 3rd. No fascists or dubiously arranged audiences were on show for this one. The focus of the event held at the BBC Television centre was the now infamous matter of youth employability. How can young people improve their prospects in the job market with little or no previous experience in certain sectors?

The panellists for the niche event were Iain Wright MP for 14-19 reform, representatives from Tesco and Bovis, Jeremy Moore senior civil servant, Debbie Scott from Tomorrow’s People, Paul Preston ELF representative and Mike Jones.

The conversation was compelling and the enthusiasm displayed on the night did not wither. Early in the event ELF member Roxanne asked “What initiatives are the government undertaking to help more young people into work.” Ian Wright replied by stating that the raising of the participation age would hone the skills of young people and he went on to say “We’re putting in funding to guarantee young people a place at college.” Speaking on a significant initiative that is of paramount benefit Wright stated “I would single out rising the participation age.”

This answer from the MP did not address current youth unemployment but instead acted as an attempt to reassure people that future graduates of the education system will have good prospects.

“When people write to me asking for jobs I always look for their passion. If that flows through people will notice.” Iain Wright said of applications to him. Wright went on to say how he supports vocational qualifications being held in higher regard then they are currently and stated that “Ed Balls is trying to make sure everyone gets personalised tradition.” I’ll believe that when I see it.

“Display the qualities they want to see,” Gabriella the representative of Tesco said, stating a rather known fact. ELF member Abdul asked her later “What do you think, if someone has a criminal record, but perfect otherwise, would you employ them?”

Gabriella replied by stating that Tesco didn’t discriminate and her answer was concise. Val Lowman of Bovis gave an uplifting answer to the same question. She told how she had taken on someone with a criminal record and has watched that person morph themselves into a positive role model for others. “If you didn’t have a great start, it’s about showing who you are.” This view on previous offenders is a positive sentiment to have and giving someone a chance to show their credentials should always be applicable.

Paul Preston when asked whether employers should explore technology in more diverse ways said the likes of Tesco may look at the possibility of applicants “sending applications through You Tube.”

This would empower applicants with a platform to express themselves more freely. Shy people would feel less daunted without sitting inches away from a potential boss. Any form of application that is better than many current online application routes that achieve little except for totally dehumanising and demoralising peoples hopes should be trialled before condemned as unorthodox or unpractical.

The event succeeded in giving ELF members a unique opportunity to quiz people that can make a difference. However in spite of this rare event common mantras manifested themselves in the forms of be “proactive,” “keep banging on the door,” “make yourself a nuisance,” for what feels like forty fourth trillionth time.

To balance employability widespread discussion must take place and schemes need to be created that will significantly improve the application process.

Written by Adam McDermont