What does the future hold for our young people ?

The beginning of the new academic year is always an exciting time for parents and their children as they set off to school, college or University. It’s a moment for optimism as they embark on their courses and they will have high hopes of what comes next.

But I think it’s never too soon to think about what happens when formal education is completed. Those young people will be at work for a long time and it’s important for them to find a job or career they can enjoy as well as delivering an income which will allow them to find somewhere to live and have their own families when the time comes.

Businesses of all kinds are crying out for good people to work for them. Sometimes that means getting a degree or another higher qualification, but very often paper certificates are less important than other attributes. Do you get on with people, are you a team player, are you enthusiastic about learning a new skill, are you a good time keeper and do you always try to do your best ? You’d be surprised how far you can get if you answer “Yes” to those questions.

I mentioned enjoying your job, so consider the things you really look forward to doing. That could be your favourite subject or a hobby or other interest. It could be that will give you some ideas of what you could do to make your living.

But I would suggest you keep an open mind when you are considering options. Do your research and don’t be afraid to contact people in sectors you are interested in. I know our members are always happy to tell people about what they do. You can find their details on our website.

Making contacts is so important, so don’t wait for things to come to you, take the bull by the horns and make the first move. You might get to know someone who will make a big difference when it comes to finding a job, offering you work experience or perhaps giving you the key piece of advice which sets you on your way.

Another issue for every business is we don’t know for sure what the future holds. For example, how will technology develop and what will be the impact of Artificial Intelligence ?

If companies can’t predict the future, then it’s going to be difficult for young people to plot their path into a career, but if they plan early, remain flexible and make good contacts they will be in the best possible position when they finish their education and that will be good news for our economy and the whole community.