Home > News > March 2009 > 11 March 2009

Young people would study harder with employer support, claims survey

Nearly 70 per cent of Year 11 students in England have said they would work harder if their studies were linked to future employment, according to a new survey from the Diploma Employer Champions' Network (DECN).

Nearly 80% of those surveyed also believe that work experience or work-related study is a key factor in helping them land a job they like. 60% of respondents agreed that undertaking work experience had given them a better understanding of what future employers would expect of them.

Three fifths of Year 11 students in England (59%) are also confident they will be able to find a job they like after leaving full-time education, despite the current economic downturn.

The survey was conducted to mark the anniversary of the national launch of the Diploma Employer Champions' Network.

The Network is made up of large employers, public sector representatives and small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) and was set up to encourage and support further long-term employer involvement in Diplomas. The Diploma is one of learning options open to 14-19 year olds, sitting alongside GCSEs / A levels and Apprenticeships.

The anniversary was marked by an event held yesterday at Glaziers Hall in London, attended by schools minister Jim Knight MP.

A group of students and teachers from across the nine English regions attended the event, each representing one of the ten Diploma lines being offered from September this year. They will be undertaking a period of work shadowing with an Employer Champion from their region.

Five students from the current five Diploma lines (Engineering; Society, Health & Development; Creative & Media; Construction and the Built Environment and IT) will spend time working alongside Diploma Employer Champions from organisations such as BT, Lovells and the NHS Training Academy.

Meanwhile five teachers from the next five Diploma lines (Manufacturing & Product Design; Hospitality; Hair & Beauty Studies; Environmental & Land-based Studies and Business, Administration & Finance) will be shadowing Champions from organisations such as Leeds City Council, Toni & Guy and Nsure.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "I am delighted by the continued growth of the Network and the broad range of employers who offer their time and talents as Champions. As this new research shows young people value the contribution from employers to their education, and in fact see it as vital in securing a career head start."

The Diploma Employer Champions' Network is led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota. He said: "These research findings actually provide some good news for business leaders, amidst the current economic gloom. As an employer I'm heartened to see that students who may have traditionally struggled to see the link between what they are studying and a future career are now finding that learning has become relevant to them in a way it perhaps hasn't been before.

"In a difficult economic climate it is important that young people understand the challenges facing public and private sector organisations. The Diploma offers them the opportunity to gain valuable experience while still at school. Employers struggle to recruit young people with the skills and attitudes they need; those already working with young people see the benefits in terms of recruitment and in their contribution to their local community."

External links

For more information on 14-19 education and skills, visit: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

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