AFP – Many young people assume that having a diploma will facilitate their entry into the job market. But they are often in for a surprise when they take their first steps.
It’s a reality that is prompting many of them to call into question the role of higher education institutions when it comes to preparing them for the realities of working life.
At least, that’s what a recent survey of 3,000 respondents found. The survey, carried out by PureSpectrum on behalf of Go1, among full-time working adults aged 18 to 75 in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, indicated that 46 per cent of respondents felt that their studies had not prepared them for their current job. Far more of them (61 per cent) felt that it was their previous jobs that had helped them acquire the skills they needed to carry out their missions.
According to them, training provided by their employer (41 per cent) and their life experience (37 per cent) also contributed to their preparedness.
Most respondents stated that they would have liked their university education to have taught them how to tackle career progression. A third of them would have liked to learn more about the fundamentals of their métier and how teams work together.
In other words, they would have appreciated a more pragmatic – and less theoretical – educational approach to the job market.
Employees are not the only ones who feel that the academic world does not adequately prepare young graduates for the realities of the professional world.
Recruiters are increasingly adopting a “skills first” approach to the hiring process, like putting knowledge and skill sets ahead of diplomas. Indeed, companies that demand academic qualifications that are not related to the role often fail to recruit effectively. They may also be depriving themselves of valuable talent, by excluding employees who do not have a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
CHANGING APPROACH
That’s why some employers manage training modules and sessions themselves to help their staff keep up with the demands of their jobs and hone their skills. Some, like KPMG, are particularly keen to encourage their less-experienced employees to develop their professional skills.
The UK branch of KPMG is offering courses to its Gen Z employees to overcome their shortcomings in teamwork or oral presentation skills, according to The Telegraph. Deloitte and PwC have also set up similar instructional programmes, according to business and financial news website, Business Insider.
While these initiatives may seem unusual, they are proving quite popular with all those involved. Young people, like their older colleagues, are well aware of the importance of continuing education in the job market.
