Demand for young workers continues to rise – and soft skills needed

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, this week chaired a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Employment to debate prospects for graduates. The meeting also featured guest speaker Samuel Gordon, Research Analyst at the Association of Graduate Recruiters.

 

The number of students in higher education has exceeded half a million for the first time and more students from disadvantaged backgrounds are going to university than ever before. AGR's own research shows that there was a 13.2% increase in graduate hires in 2015 with a 3.7% increase in starting salaries.  The AGR covers all "student talent", so the research includes those emerging from school and college too, where there is an even more buoyant market for young people's skills.

 

The research also underlines the challenge of soft skills once young people enter the workplace, where employers often train up on business communication, commercial awareness and negotiating skills.

 

Chloe emphasised that her local youth employment project, Norwich for Jobs, can help employers find the young talent they need.

 

Commenting on the meeting, Chloe said:

 

“With many university students in Norwich and elsewhere currently working their dissertations and preparing for final exams, and young people coming to the last term of school or college, what comes next is really important.  Employers are looking for young recruits and there are many opportunities out there. 

 

"Work experience and soft skills are really important, and local firms can engage with young people to find the talent they want.  Norwich for Jobs can help, so please get in touch, and we can make this work together for our local economy.  Nationally, we need to continue to keep the economy strong so that there is a steady supply of opportunities."

 

The APPG on Youth Employment focuses on the key challenges facing young people and looks at a range of good practice making a positive impact in the labour market. The group is particularly active, with a diverse range of employers and charities supporting it.