‘Learning to Work’: employers’ role in improving education to work transitions Wednesday, 11 th of July Welfare to Work, UK Convention 2012 Katerina Rüdiger, Skills Policy Adviser, CIPD Kelly Duncan, Project Executive, Steps Ahead, CIPD

CIPD policy priorities Higher performance at work…..  management and leadership skills,  skills development, skills utilisation and working practices …and better pathways into work  Improve access to the labour market for young people (internships, work experience, apprenticeships)  Improve Vocational Education and Training (VET)  Employer involvement in education

Key challenges Demand (employers)  entry level jobs, progression routes  business case for investing in young people  recruitment methods / disconnect Supply (young people):  Lack work experience / insight into the working world / sectors / occupations  Translating their skills and experiences  Employability skills & poor qualifications

Key challenges Institutional issues / system:  Lack of careers advice and guidance  Weak vocational education and training systems  Lack of work-based learning  Low inter-generational mobility

What employers want Work experience Prefer graduates, but: It’s not a skills issue (unless technical skills/job specific skills) Numeracy and literacy overstated “Recruit for attitude and train for skills” Work ethic / attitude / “the spark” Knowledge about sectors/organisation

Key role of employers “Employability skills” = skills that are learned in the workplace Integrating the world of work into education Early experience of working life / insight into jobs and sectors

Our Learning to Work campaign Overall aim: Shift in employer perception, engagement & investment in young people So that employers: Help prepare young people Make labour market / jobs more youth friendly

What? Three strands: 1.Raise awareness /understanding of the role of HR professionals and employers 2.Business case for employing young people & how to articulate this to senior management and the rest of the work force 3.A package of options to prepare young people for work and make the labour market more youth friendly

Steps Ahead Mentoring Kelly Duncan, Project Executive

Why did we launched the project?

Objectives To improve the employability of young job seekers and ultimately bring them closer to the labour market To foster a better understanding amongst the HR profession of the challenges young people face To give HR practitioners the opportunity to develop their coaching and mentoring skills.

How does it work? Who it’s for Referral process Self Registration Employability Matching Feedback Self Assessment

Next Steps August to October 2012 – Central England November 2012 to January 2013 – North East England February to April 2013 – North West England May to August 2013 – London and Home Counties September to November 2013 – Southern England

How can you get involved? Learning to Work Contact Katerina Rudiger: Tel: Mobile: Steps Ahead Contact Kelly Duncan Tel: Mobile:

Reuben Gardener JCP