A “deep-rooted” reform of the careers service is necessary for the UK to build a talent pipeline to maintain a competitive edge, according to the Recruitment & Confederation’s Youth Employment Taskforce report.

Among the report’s recommendations are: (cont…)

·     A deep-rooted reform of careers services ensuring young people have at least some understanding of the world of work by the time they are 14.

·     Specific targets and incentives for schools/education establishments to create employer-led careers guidance - employers and recruiters must play a role by investing time and resources in partnering with education providers.

·     Government to ensure that funded training schemes reflect the current and future skills shortages and that entrepreneurship is encouraged through better support and mentoring programmes.

·     New ‘Technical Academies’ to be created to offer vocational training and qualifications in growth industries and enhance perceptions of vocational options.

·     Boosting employment through a two year National Insurance holiday for each additional young person employed in the private sector.

·     Pro-active campaigns to promote STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) - progress is crucial for UK competitiveness.

·     ‘Tapping into’ existing value-added expertise such as professional recruiters helping job centres and careers services assist candidates with CV writing and interview skills.

·     Enabling businesses to recruit through other ongoing measures – for example, by cutting red tape and simplifying taxation – as well as providing support for employers running internship and apprenticeship programmes.

·     Using temporary work as a route into the labour market by streamlining the benefits system and removing disincentives for jobseekers to take on short-term assignments that can often lead to other opportunities.

·     Employers and recruiters taking a lead in operating more internship programmes and developing standards for the running of these schemes.  Business organisations and trade bodies must also take a lead on this.

·     Promote apprenticeships to older age groups and to create models across a growing number of sectors, particularly for the service sector. Sector Skills Councils must play a leading role here.