Chambers of Commerce urges employers to invest in young people

The first ever British Chambers of Commerce Youth Skills Manifesto calls on politicians to do more to make sure young people have the right knowledge and skills to succeed in the world of work. 
  
The manifesto, sponsored by the leading online secondary school King’s InterHigh, identifies the role of employers in supporting young people to transition from education to employment.  
   
It recommends that schools must ensure every young person leaving education has the basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills, as well as the key transferrable skills, required for the modern workplace. 

Other recommendations include making sure students have the opportunity to engage in applied learning, ensuring learning spaces across the UK have a full-time resource for careers, and asking policymakers to provide clarity on the future of technical/vocational skills qualifications. 

The report highlights the key skills employers look for in young people and how individuals will need to embrace new learning throughout their careers as the workplace becomes more technical, automated and low carbon focused.  It examines the important role of technical education, notably T-Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications and Apprenticeships across England.  

Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Young people are the future of our economy and preparing them for the world of work is crucial."

Gratton added that business has an important role to play in engaging, informing, training and supporting young people alongside government and the education system. 

"We need to raise awareness and aspiration and give young people all the support they need to get great jobs and achieve their full potential in the world of work," she said. 

She added that the curriculum must help young people develop essential, transferable skills and ensure everyone has access to high quality, impartial careers advice. We need a stable and coherent skills strategy, and our youth skills manifesto outlines a practical roadmap for policymakers to support young people on their journey from primary school to further and higher education and training.