1. Careers world: employer insights Katerina Rüdiger, Skills Policy Adviser, CIPD ESRC Seminar Series: Careers, 30th October 2012

2. Outline Background: CIPD Learning to Work campaign Role of careers IAG Employers views on young people & career guidance Employers’ role Current engagement with education What more can be done

3. Learning to Work campaign Overall aim: Shift in employer investment in young people So that employers: Help prepare young people Make labour market / jobs more youth friendly

4. What? Three strands: 1.Business case for investing in young people 2.Package of options – youth policy 3.Role of HR professionals /employers – awareness raising

5. Background Youth unemployment Employer perceptions Behaviour: short-term to long-term investment Intention to action gap

6. Role of career IAG form a realistic view of the possibilities and job opportunities available, understanding about how the labour market works, information about the pathways and choices available, including alternatives to university education.

7. Employer views on young people and work Have unrealistic expectations about work (59%) Lack insight into the working world (63%) Do not have adequate career guidance (53%) Find it difficult to talk about their skills and experiences in a way that is related the workplace (54%) Don’t know or don’t understand what employers are expecting of them (57%)

8. Employers views on career guidance A limited access to career guidance A lack of knowledge about sectors/industries A low level of knowledge about work, job search (including relevant websites) and recruitment, A lack of knowledge and understanding how competitive recruitment processes are Lack of understanding of transferable skills and qualities and how to put them on their CV Knowledge of the labour market limited to and influenced by their family and friends

9. Alternatives to university No insights into alternatives “Study or work” Discouraged from apprenticeships / no knowledge about apprenticeships

10. Employer’s role Support education to work transition:  Importance of employer contact  Navigate the labour market / inform choices  Early exposure to the workplace / employability Build their talent pipeline

11. What? A majority (7 out of 10) say employer should be more involved in education  Offer early exposure to the workplace (via work  experience, placements or internships) (76%)  Offer career insights (schools visits, etc) (61%)  Offer insights into recruitment (mock interviews help with writing CVs, etc) (56%)

12. Current engagement with education Six in ten employers provide work experience placements A quarter offer internships Only 1/3 take part in school visits One in ten provide insights into recruitment, CV writing mock interviews

13. Closing the intention to action gap Get involved with existing initiatives Youth policy approach tied to business strategy Learning and development opportunities for staff Engagement at local level