We all know that the current economic climate and employment landscape is tough for everyone, but it's particularly tough for young people who may lack the experience and confidence needed to break into the job market. A young person's confidence can be worn down the longer they are out of work.
Employers need to remember that no young person is the finished article when they first join a business. We can't and shouldn't expect them to be. What we can do is help them by offering training, support and qualifications, to allow them to develop transferable skills and strengthen the abilities that they already have. This not only helps them to perform better in the workplace, but also gives them the confidence and a broader foundation to build their careers.
But what about the young people who haven't yet got their foot on that first rung of the ladder? Businesses are members of the communities in which they operate, and as business leaders we have a responsibility to help them get that first break.
McDonald's identified a couple of areas where young people felt they needed support, and which importantly as employers, we could provide guidance. For example, many have never had anyone give an employer's view of their CV, what works and what doesn't. The same applies to interview technique - what impresses an employer and how to prepare.
As a business we had been thinking about what we could do to help, and decided to pilot the 'How to Get Hired' programme, extending our internal support for young people to those who do not work for us. Alongside Jobcentre Plus and learndirect, we're inviting young people who have been unemployed for longer than three months to take part in workshops designed to give them a helping hand in their job hunt.
Those taking part receive advice on their CVs from experts at learndirect, practice interview techniques with experienced restaurant managers and we put them in touch with others who have been in a similar position offering them practical advice on job hunting. We are hosting these workshops in three of our restaurants around the country between now and the end of the year.
Interestingly, the young people who took part in the Brixton session told us that their biggest lesson was hearing exactly what an employer is looking for. Many were surprised that relatively simple things such as timekeeping, enthusiasm and demonstrating passion for a business, can make a real difference to their prospects of securing that all important first job.
What else could we do? Could businesses be a bit more open with young people looking for a job? Alongside standard careers fairs, how can we invite young people to come and see behind the scenes of our businesses, and give them the chance to speak to recruiting managers and current employees who may have been in their situation not so long ago?
By opening ourselves up, we can share best practice - our knowledge and experience of working with young people - and in turn give talented individuals a better chance to shine and do well at interview. It also allows prospective recruits to really understand us.
There is a real danger that whenever unemployment statistics move in the right direction, we switch attention away from the issue of young people. We always need to keep them front of mind and focus on helping those who need it most. Nobody, whether it's a business, a parent or a politician, has a silver bullet for youth unemployment. But we can all contribute in some way. Even if that is just starting a conversation with someone looking for a job, and explaining what it is that we are looking for, our young people need and deserve our support.
Jez Langhorn, (pictured) is vice president, people, McDonald's UK
