Mind the Skills Gap: Employers and Students Work Together

The Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board are working with local employers and colleges to develop a new award to help young people gain 'core employability skills'.

The Board have kicked off the process by inviting young design students to enter a competition to name and brand the award itself. Currently called the “Employability Challenge” Award, the Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board have invited Further Education and Sixth Form students studying design related subjects to enter a competition to create a corporate identity for the award, into a brand that appeals to both young people and employers looking to recruit.

Employers often report that they struggle to recruit young people due to lack of five key employability skills: Communications Skills; Team Working Skills; Organisational Skills, Problem-Solving Skills and Customer Service Skills. The “Employability Challenge” Award aims to empower young people by challenging them to use their initiative and determination to prove that they have developed these skills, with practical advice offered along the way by mentors from local businesses.

By taking the award young people are better equipped to progress into work or further learning, and local businesses will have a pool of young people better prepared for work. Two of the companies already on board in developing the award are Exeter-based Interserve and The Really Good Recruitment Company.

Richard Ellis, South West Director of Interserve Construction and also Chair of the EHOD Preparing for Employment Working Group said: “The aim of the Employability Challenge Award is to work with young people to help them gain skills in the core areas that employers look for when recruiting. When a potential candidate achieves the award, we as employers will be able to identify those applicants who have applied themselves to build their employability skills, many of which can be hard to identify on an application form. Because this pilot process is giving employers and students the chance to work together, we are creating an award that will give young people the opportunity to prove their skills for work and help employers to pick them out!”

Hannah Ellis Murdock, Director of The Really Good Recruitment Company added: “As a recruiter, we understand that employers are looking for more than just qualifications; they want people who have the right attitude as well as aptitude. The Employability Challenge Award is a great way of students being able to demonstrate their commitment and a proactive approach to potential employers, as well as giving them a better understanding of what employers are looking for.

At a time of high youth unemployment, initiative like this are a great way of engaging with young people and giving them employment related skills to help them in to a rewarding career.” The project will pilot with 100 students taking part (from selected colleges) in working towards the award, supported by 20 employers. The winner of the branding competition will gain real experience of working with employers in developing a real brand identity and student would also meet two elements of the award by taking part.

The brand will be used for the pilot project which will launch formally in early 2013 and has the potential to roll out nationwide in time. For more information about Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board and the“Employability Challenge” Award and visit: www.exeter.gov.uk/ehod-esb