A CONFERENCE has been held aimed at boosting young people’s opportunities in the workplace.
The event, organised by the Department of Education and Children and the Department of Economic Development, took place at the Mount Murray Hotel in Santon, on Wednesday.
In his opening address to the Employability, Productivity and Leadership conference, Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK said: ‘How we prepare our young people for the world of work in a more competitive labour market is of vital importance, particularly in the current economic climate.
‘It is not just about specific qualifications or school subjects, but transferrable skills, personal attributes, understanding and knowledge of the world of work and an awareness of what society expects of young people.’
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Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Hennessy provided the employers’ perspective, dispelling myths and outlining areas for growth and future opportunities.
DEC co-ordinating adviser for secondary education Paul Craine gave feedback from the consultation on how well the education system prepares young people to take up these opportunities.
Kieran Gordon, chief executive of Merseyside Connexions, spoke to the 160 delegates about the challenges for the 21st century and the kind of approaches emerging to meet these new needs. They include developing strategies, tools and techniques to deal with the ability of people to adjust and develop.
AQR managing director Doug Strycharczyk said that preparing people with a good attitude towards work and employment was as important as developing skills and knowledge.
The employer’s role in leadership and coaching was outlined by Institute of Leadership and Management business development director Gaynor Lewis.
DEC political member Tony Wild MLC said the conference was ‘critical to the ongoing well being of the island’s economy, adding: ‘The island still maintains a strong economy which is demonstrating a remarkable resilience to the economic difficulties impacting the communities of other jurisdictions. The island has an unemployment rate of 2.2 per cent, which contrasts against the Eurozone figure of 11 per cent.
‘But we cannot be complacent as an economic team of Government, educationalists and employers.’
Of the Isle of Man’s 1,014 unemployed, 396 are young people aged 24 and under.