It’s always been a bone of contention here at Rathbone – why do school leavers give themselves a six-week break before deciding on their future?
Sure, they don’t have a crystal ball; but many can anticipate how that GCSE results envelope is going to look in late August. And then of course, there is that group of school leavers who didn’t take any exams at all.
Rathbone recently called for this group of young people to forgo their summer break and instead take up some training NOW. That may sound a little harsh. Not every student who struggles with exams is lazy. Moreover, for some young people the chaotic circumstances of their lives make study and gaining an education difficult.
If they are to claw back some ground on those who will be celebrating A*’s on results day, they may have to sacrifice this summer to gain experience and skills that will set them up for the rest of their lives.
There are many courses available for young people that are described as ‘roll-on, roll-off’. At Rathbone, you don’t have to wait until September to begin one. This flexibility has been of massive benefit for students who have begun a college course and found it’s not for them or young people who have just faced family upheaval and needed to move area.
But arguably, this summer is the optimum time to take advantage of provision that is not only here and now but tailored towards the needs of employers.
Bosses are looking for someone who can hit the ground running. The school struggler is usually the most unprepared for battle in the cluttered job market. Along with having no qualifications, they will have been fortunate to have gained any work experience whilst at school and it is doubtful they ever had a mock interview or possess a sparkling CV.
What Rathbone does see in them is massive potential and if they choose to study with us during summer we will give them those skills – which might just put them ahead of their peers in the job hunt.
The really good news is that this programme of study actually encompasses a lot of fun! At Rathbone Manchester, trips to Blackpool and coaching sessions with drama and sports groups are mingled in with literacy and numeracy learning. Plus you will also get the kind of one-to-one careers advice that is now sadly lacking since cuts to the Connexions careers service took hold.
It’s a painful experience for a young person to reach September and see their friends flying off to college while they have nowhere to move on to. Recent research shows that so-called ‘neet’ youngsters (not in employment, education or training) become so low that around a third won’t even leave their own homes.
Don’t fall into that pit of despair, act now and:
- Connect to the Connexions careers service site and see about roll-on, roll-off programmes www.connexionslive.com
- Check-out the Rathbone website www.rathboneuk.org to examine our courses and,
- Make hay while sun shines and while others are slumbering this summer you could be planning a place in the SUN!
