Youth Lacks Social Skills Needed for First Job

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. transition (n.) [tran-zish-uhn, -sish-] – moving from one stage to another

Example:   With proper guidance, children can have healthy transition from childhood to adulthood.

2. entry-level job (n.) [en-tree-lev-uhl job] –  a job suited for new graduates or people without previous job experience

Example:   I applied for an entry-level job after graduating from college.

3. face (v.) [feys] – to have something bad or unpleasant as a problem or possibility

Example: He faces a difficult decision of leaving the country and his family so he can work in Canada.

4. mentor (n.) [men-tawr, -ter] – teacher

Example: The student’s mentor inspired him to do better on his academics.

5. dilemma (n.) [dih-lem-uh] – a problem, usually in which someone has to choose from two undesirable options

Example: A lot of new graduates experience the dilemma of finding a good job.

Article
Read the text below.

The British non-profit organization, Work Foundation, reports 450,000 Neets have a hard time getting a job because they lack the social skills needed for employment. Almost a million 16 to 24 year olds who are not in education, employment and training are classified as the growing number of NEETs. The report entitled ‘Lost in Transition’ reveals that entry-level jobs are now more likely to be in the service sector rather than manufacturing. In order to qualify for such jobs, the youth needs communication skills, teamwork skills and the ability to deal with customers. Neets are faced with a problem of not having these required skills that are oftentimes learned on the job itself. Chief Executive Shaks Gosh of the Private Equity Foundation believes that one should have a stable job by the age of 24 or will most likely stay unemployed. The increase in the number of Neets indicates a change in the labor market in the past decade and caused a mismatch between available jobs and the skills of the unemployed youth. Dr. Paul Sissons, the author of the research suggests that young people should have good mentors, business connections and work experience to increase their chances of getting hired. To deal with this dilemma on an international level, a Skills Strategy was started by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The group recommends that there should be a close relationship between the employers and the school so that students will be better prepared for their jobs.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         How can the government help young people like Neets get the necessary skills for work?

·         Do schools in your country prepare students enough for their careers? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         In your opinion, how can we reduce the number of unemployed young people?

                  Do young people in your country also experience the same problem? How is it affecting your country?

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