As you come towards the end of your school life, you can’t help but think about the future. Not least because teachers, guidance counsellors, and relatives are often quick to ask about what plans you have once you leave.
But these considerations appear to weigh heavy on the minds of young people, as recent research showed that a whopping three quarters of kids in the UK do not feel prepared to enter the world of work once they finish school.
Of the young people surveyed, more than half (53%) of them said they feel nervous about starting employment. The poll took the opinions of 1,000 parents and their children aged between 11 and 18, to find out what they think about the wider world of work once their education is complete.
The survey found that 54 per cent of young people feel as though they do not know what to expect in their upcoming working life, with the same amount of kids scared they will end up doing something wrong.
The research, which was commissioned by Talking Futures, showed that shockingly four in ten (41%) parents are concerned that their child will struggle with future careers as they are simply not prepared for the workplace. Major worries included inexperience (31%), lack of confidence (41%) or maturity (27%), and not having great organisational skills (26%).
With the launch of their new campaign, ‘Technical Education Opens Doors’, the education advice service is keen for parents to know that their children have more options available to them after school than they themselves might have had.
A spokesperson said: “When it comes to shaping a child’s life and career choices, no one is more influential than their parents. That’s why it’s so important to understand all the options available to your child – it’s your best chance of giving them the support that’s right for them.
“This research shows just how many children, and their parents, are sharing feelings of anxiety about their future careers. With this new campaign, we want to highlight how technical education options like T-levels, apprenticeships and HTQs can open doors for young people – and help prepare them for employment.”
The research shows that advice like this is needed as only 8 per cent of parents surveyed felt as though they had an ‘excellent’ understanding of what qualifications are available to children after they turn 16. On the flip side, a startling 52 per cent confessed they felt helpless for not knowing their children’s education options.
This campaign is also beneficial for young people too, as a quarter of kids surveyed said that they did not know what they wanted to do once leaving school.
In terms of what parents in the UK think are necessary skills for joining the workforce and finding a job, having strong communication skills (76%), confidence (73%) and a good work ethic (71%) made it to the top of the list.
According to research conducted by OnePoll.com, more than half (56%) of mums and dads believe that there should be more opportunities for children to take part in work experience, as this would allow them to gain better skills and be aware of more future career options.
Campaign ambassador Tim Campbell MBE said: “As a parent, I understand the worries we have about ensuring our children have the right experience to pursue a fulfilling career but, equally, as an employer, I am aware of the skills that businesses are looking for.
“We all want to do the best to support our children so my advice would be to find out more about the education options available to your child. There are numerous routes, and not all of them will be the right fit for every young person.
“Try to be as informed as you can about what is out there, so that you can have open and informative conversations with your child about their future career prospects.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.