ARE “job snobs” fuelling the skills shortage?

Young people in Southampton are being discouraged from taking vocational training by their nearest and dearest, new research reveals.

A survey by HGVtraining.co.uk, found that 13 per cent of people had been warned off the vocational route by their parents, six per cent by their family and four per cent by their school.

Among the reasons given were that it wouldn’t pay enough (25 per cent), the person would be better served by taking the academic route (23 per cent) and that the person was “too clever” (12 per cent). Four per cent of people have even been told that it’s “beneath them”.

Many industries are suffering skills shortages, notably the logistics industry where there is a need for more than 50,000 new drivers by 2020.

HGVtraining.co.uk co-founder Gary Benardout is launching the Young Truckers' Campaign which will call on the government to put more funding into training drivers.

“We’ve got to get past being a nation of Job Snobs – and realise that for many people the best thing they can do is learn a skill that’s going to lead to a job; often the very sort of job local businesses are crying out to fill,” said Gary. “Young people, who aren’t necessarily academically-minded, are flunking out of education when instead they could be picking up vital skills for life.”

“All this has consequences. Our industries are facing a serious skills gap – with not enough workers to do the jobs. Jobs that keep the area’s economy buoyant. Local councils, businesses and school need to come together to solve this madness.”

Sarah Stannard, principal of City College Southampton, w confirmed that haulage businesses had told her there was a real shortage of HGV drivers and admitted too few young people know about the career opportunities available in the transport and logistics sector.

“We have been working closely with a local consortium of haulage companies, including Meachers, Lambert Brothers and Steve Porter, supported by Southampton City Council, to train local people to become HGV drivers,” she said.

Sarah said the college would be running a special logistics careers event on October 15 at the O2 Guildhall in Southampton.

This week the government announced that schools must give “equal airtime” to the non- academic routes pupils can take post-16,in a bid to end the ‘second class’ perception of technical and professional education (TPE). A new law would see apprenticeship providers and staff from colleges visit schools to talk to pupils about the opportunities open to them through apprenticeships or other TPE routes.

The move follows concerns from ministers that some schools are unwilling to recommend apprenticeships or other TPEs to any but the lowest-achieving pupils – thus creating a two tiered system of careers advice.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “For many young people going to university will be the right choice, and we are committed to continuing to expand access to Higher Education, but for other young people the technical education provided by apprenticeships will suit them better.”

Nigel Duncan, principal of Fareham College, welcomed the announcement: “This is excellent news for further education providers such as Fareham College, who deliver an extensive technical and professional curriculum, including apprenticeships and traineeships.

Training of this type provides students with the important skills needed to be competitive in the jobs market and to make a real and valuable contribution to businesses, the local economy and to pursue a rewarding career. I am delighted that the importance of these courses is being recognised more widely as a highly credible alternative to more traditional modes of post-16 study.”

 

“We welcome any opportunity to improve the guidance available to young people when making decisions about their future, especially as 12-15% of our students come from other Colleges having changed their minds; we want to encourage students to make the right choice first time. 

 

According to the UKCES Employer Skills Survey 2015, 23% of jobs went unfilled last year due to skills shortages. Colleges like Eastleigh College are working hard to broaden the awareness of a variety of job opportunities that exist, and choosing a vocational option doesn’t necessarily narrow your choice – many vocational routes lead to high-level professional and technical careers, Apprenticeships, and University in a range of established careers including Dental Nursing and Management.”

 

Jan Edrich, chief executive and principal of Eastleigh College, commented: “We welcome any opportunity to improve the guidance available to young people when making decisions about their future, especially as 12-15 per cent of our students come from other colleges having changed their minds; we want to encourage students to make the right choice first time. 

 

According to the UKCES Employer Skills Survey 2015, 23per cent of jobs went unfilled last year due to skills shortages. Colleges like Eastleigh College are working hard to broaden the awareness of a variety of job opportunities that exist, and choosing a vocational option doesn’t necessarily narrow your choice – many vocational routes lead to high-level professional and technical careers, apprenticeships, and university in a range of established careers including dental nursing and management.”