(time limit 20 minutes)
The Youth Council believes that work experience is an essential component of young people’s transition into responsible and confident citizens, and is an excellent introduction into the world of work. These short term placements inside an organisation help young people become acquainted with the work place, which will improve their employability skills to create well-rounded individuals. It may also provide an insight into a particular industry which can help decide their future career paths.
The Youth Council is aware of a survey by the City & Guilds vocational training organisation, about 80 per cent of employers think work experience is essential and two-thirds of employers would be more likely to hire a young person with work experience over someone with none. There are also multiple benefits for the local community when businesses offer work experience to young people not least due to the links forged which may help get a foot in the door of the world of employment, and the firm may find that they have an enthusiastic and experienced new recruit on their hands in the future. The Youth Council believes that if a young person has a worthwhile work experience in Oldham, it can only incentivise them to remain in the area after completing their education or training as they have become more aware of the career possibilities on their doorstep. They have a goal to aim for, and as a result have a purpose to work hard to gain the relevant qualifications after completing work experience, thus raising both aspirations and academic achievements in the town. Indeed, people who had four or more interactions with employers during their schooling years were five times less likely to be unemployed at the end of them, according to recent research.
Throughout Oldham, however, provision is inconsistent as work experience is not a statutory obligation in schools. It can often be challenging for young people to find suitable placements themselves, and as a consequence many miss out on this vital experience.
As a Youth Council which strives to represent the views of young people and champion their issues, we feel that it would be imperative to urge the Council to take this issue seriously. In this year’s UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark campaign we balloted over 17,000 young people which represents approximately 70% of Oldham’s 11 – 18 year olds (the 2nd highest turnout in the UK #JustSaying). Work Experience hubs for 11-18 year olds, was the number one issue that our young people were concerned about, with over 2600 voting for this topic.
The Youth Council’s long term commitment to campaigning for a Curriculum for Life, an educational experience which adequately prepares students for responsible adulthood, also extends to a genuine demand for work experience which is beneficial to both parties involved and leaves young people feeling optimistic for their future. The Youth Council believes that it is an invaluable opportunity and it should not be decided on by the connections your family has or a postcode lottery that your school has the resources and a well-developed work experience programme.
The Youth Council would like to take this opportunity to recognise the work done at Oldham Council for the past overview and scrutiny of the work experience provided in Oldham. From this work we know that schools may not offer any work experience opportunities, some may offer a small cohort of placements and only a tiny majority of schools organise work experience for an entire year group. With our Make Your Mark results the Youth Council plan to work closely with organisations such as Get Oldham Working and Positive Steps to see how this offer can be increased and how young people can be supported so they are aware of how to maximise their usage. The Youth Council also hope to look at the feasibility of a face to face or an online work experience hub.
However, there is only so much that the Youth Council is able to do and we call on the Council to support the following resolution:
The Youth Council ask Council to resolve:
That Oldham Council recognises that Oldham is committed to providing quality work experience opportunities for all its young people and write to the Secretary of State for Education and the three MPs in our area asking that work experience arrangements becomes a statutory duty for all schools.
Minutes:
The Youth Council PROPOSED the following MOTION:
“The Youth Council believes that work experience is an essential component of young people’s transition into responsible and confident citizens, and is an excellent introduction into the world of work. These short term placements inside an organisation help young people become acquainted with the work place, which will improve their employability skills to create well-rounded individuals. It may also provide an insight into a particular industry which can help decide their future career paths.
The Youth Council is aware of a survey by the City & Guilds vocational training organisation, about 80 per cent of employers think work experience is essential and two-thirds of employers would be more likely to hire a young person with work experience over someone with none. There are also multiple benefits for the local community when businesses offer work experience to young people not least due to the links forged which may help get a foot in the door of the world of employment, and the firm may find that they have an enthusiastic and experienced new recruit on their hands in the future. The Youth Council believes that if a young person has a worthwhile work experience in Oldham, it can only incentivise them to remain in the area after completing their education or training as they have become more aware of the career possibilities on their doorstep. They have a goal to aim for, and as a result have a purpose to work hard to gain the relevant qualifications after completing work experience, thus raising both aspirations and academic achievements in the town. Indeed, people who had four or more interactions with employers during their schooling years were five times less likely to be unemployed at the end of them, according to recent research.
Throughout Oldham, however, provision is inconsistent as work experience is not a statutory obligation in schools. It can often be challenging for young people to find suitable placements themselves, and as a consequence many miss out on this vital experience.
As a Youth Council which strives to represent the views of young people and champion their issues, we feel that it would be imperative to urge the Council to take this issue seriously. In this year’s UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark campaign we balloted over 17,000 young people which represents approximately 70% of Oldham’s 11 – 18 year olds (the 2nd highest turnout in the UK #JustSaying). Work Experience hubs for 11-18 year olds, was the number one issue that our young people were concerned about, with over 2600 voting for this topic.
The Youth Council’s long term commitment to campaigning for a Curriculum for Life, an educational experience which adequately prepares students for responsible adulthood, also extends to a genuine demand for work experience which is beneficial to both parties involved and leaves young people feeling optimistic for their future. The Youth Council believes that it is an invaluable opportunity and it should not be decided on by the connections your family has or a postcode lottery that your school has the resources and a well-developed work experience programme.
The Youth Council would like to take this opportunity to recognise the work done at Oldham Council for the past overview and scrutiny of the work experience provided in Oldham. From this work we know that schools may not offer any work experience opportunities, some may offer a small cohort of placements and only a tiny majority of schools organise work experience for an entire year group. With our Make Your Mark results the Youth Council plan to work closely with organisations such as Get Oldham Working and Positive Steps to see how this offer can be increased and how young people can be supported so they are aware of how to maximise their usage. The Youth Council also hope to look at the feasibility of a face to face or an online work experience hub.
However, there is only so much that the Youth Council is able to do and we call on the Council to support the following resolution:
The Youth Council ask Council to resolve:
That Oldham Council recognises that Oldham is committed to providing quality work experience opportunities for all its young people and write to the Secretary of State for Education and the three MPs in our area asking that work experience arrangements becomes a statutory duty for all schools.”
Councillor Harkness spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Rehman spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Chadderton MOVED the Motion and Councillor Akhtar SECONDED the Motion.
On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that Oldham Council recognised that Oldham was committed to providing quality work experience opportunities for all its young people and the Secretary of State for Education and the three MPs in our area be written to asking that work experience arrangements becomes a statutory duty for all schools.