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People Are Our Most Important Asset
‘People are our most important asset’. Discuss…
How often do we hear that statement? What does it mean? If people are ‘assets’, then how much time and effort should we invest in them? Probably more than we do.
Countec is a social (not for profit) enterprise that arranges work experience placements for Milton Keynes’ young people and wants you to consider hosting one.
What are the benefits to your business? Often you get a young person who is enthusiastic to do well and brings fresh ideas. This young person may become a future employee, reducing your recruitment costs, or link you with new customers. It is almost certain that the young person will talk about your business with others. It is absolutely certain that the young person will learn from the work placement.
It is an old saying in business that ‘hard’ skills will get an interview but ‘soft’ skills will get the job. There is, therefore, an essential need for young people to begin to develop those ‘soft’ skills in order to equip them to face the world of work.
A survey in 2009 of 500 UK business leaders revealed that almost 87% viewed work experience as good practice. Although 69% said they were more likely to hire someone who had spent time in their own organisation, 41% did not offer to host placements. A more recent survey conducted by Pearson UK found that only 16% of businesses believed young people had the right skills for the workplace. Businesses agree the current school-based education system fails to teach the right mix of academic and practical skills such as communication, team work and the effect of body language.
Countec’s mission is to link schools and employers in Milton Keynes to provide quality work-related learning experiences so that all young people secure employment. By helping young people today to prepare for the world of work, we believe that business can help create a ready pool of talent tomorrow.
Every year, we are asked by schools to place nearly 3,000 young people in a 1-2 week placement with a Milton Keynes business. There are around 10,000 businesses in Milton Keynes but only 1,000 on our database that are prepared to host placements. These employers are our business and we want more!
As the CBI has pointed out, the vast majority of young people report very positively on work experience. They say they got a better understanding of the skills that employers are looking for (94%) and had a chance to develop and demonstrate those skills while on placement (87%).
When employers work well with schools, it makes a real difference to young people. It helps them understand the links between the classroom and the workplace, improving their motivation. It helps them achieve more and leave school with the skills, knowledge and attitudes that employer’s value.
Do the right thing - invest in the future of your business, join one of Countec's activities.
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