26/10/2011
Today I read an article entitled ‘Students don’t have the skills to pay the bills’ (The Courier 2011). This isn’t the first time I’ve come across an article such as this. In a Young Enterprise poll of some of the UK’s largest employers, one in four companies feel UK graduates do not possess the right skills for entering the workforce. It is argued that employability skills are lacking such as timekeeping, professionalism and a ‘can-do’ attitude. From a personal perspective, I understand the concern. I know many people who have gone through the education system thinking at the end of it a job would be handed to them, but ‘the times they are a-changing’! The graduate arena is competitive and the idea that a 2:1 is going to land a student their dream job is a little unrealistic in most cases!
I think this calls for a culture shift in Universities, from one where essays and exams rule the roost, to more practical, skill-based modules being available to students. This isn’t a one-way system though. Students must be pro-active! There is a whole host of extra-curricular activities where students can volunteer, and there are modules like Business Enterprise where developing employability skills is a key benefit. It is down the students themselves to realise where their skills gaps are and how to fill them. This topic continues to be in the spotlight, and Fast Forward will continue to create opportunities for students to get the right skills for the workplace. Watch this space!