Partner Article

North East employers 'missing out' on benefits of work experience

Employers in the region are missing out on the business benefits of taking on a school leaver or graduate for work experience, according to new research.

The Populus survey of 500 UK business leaders for the Backing Young Britain campaign reveals that although almost nine in 10 employers (87%) view work experience as good practice, over half (55%) feel it only benefits the individual and not their organisation.

Two in five businesses (41%) offer no placements at all despite the majority (69%) saying they are more likely to hire someone who has spent time in their organisation. Even work experience completed elsewhere is seen as an asset for 43% of employers.

Miles Templeman, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “Skills underpin a productive economy, but the UK is facing an excellence challenge it is currently failing to meet. One of the key areas directors target for improvement is young people’s employability skills: only a quarter of IoD members believe young people are well prepared for the world of work. Businesses can, and should, contribute to the effort to prepare students better for employment and providing work experience opportunities is a valuable way of doing so.

“The majority of employers do already offer work experience placements, but many do not – and the practical barriers can appear substantial, particularly for smaller organisations. Communicating to employers what they can contribute, and how, is vital.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .