Hugh Reilly: Rude awakening in world of work (with £20 for lucky ones)

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 21:50

IN TERMS of consumer resistance, selling the idea to teenagers that schooldays are the best of your life is a hard nut to crack. Naive kids can't wait to leap off the dark, satanic school treadmill and enter the exciting and materially rewarding world of employment.

In many cases, their highly romanticised view of work can be traced back to early exposure to cinema classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in which a septet of vertically-challenged colliers sing joyously as they toil in the surprisingly pleasant atmosphere of a Middle Ages coal pit. And, despite the ever-present danger of cave-ins and increased susceptibility to respiratory problems, they apparently all lived happily ever after.

Every S4 pupil in Scotland is invited to participate in a week's work experience, usually organised by those teachers with few classes to teach – ie, guidance staff. Youngsters can choose from a variety of employment opportunities offered by local businesses. There is, however, a definite gender division.

Girls generally opt for hairdressing, no doubt filled with the fanciful notion of becoming a stylist to the stars (sadly, turning up on Monday morning and being handed a brush to sweep up the dead hair and dandruff from the heads of grumbling OAPs somewhat kills the dream).

Boys choose manly jobs such as construction and quickly pick up the basic skill of not allowing work to get in the way of spitting, spouting profanities and making unsolicited wolf-whistles from atop scaffolding to any female who passes by.

Some teenagers show initiative by arranging so-called "self-found" placements, frequently working in a parent's place of employment. I salute those mums and dads who have the courage to show colleagues the child they have produced.

In what could be interpreted as a refreshing challenge to our risk-averse society, schools do not vet the background of adults with whom the children will working.

This year, our local MSP, Margaret Curran, commendably recruited a dozen or so pupils to shadow what she does in the constituency. (Rumour has it that fellow MSP Jack McConnell wished to show school kids his steadfast commitment to representing the good people of Motherwell, but unfortunately the visas for the children's visit to his Malawi surgery could not be arranged in time. Ah well, there's always next year.)

While most kids enjoy the experience, some find it hard to adapt to a harsh environment where punctuality and attendance is obligatory, not optional. A minority of youth desert their temporary posts after a few days of this hell.

To be fair, at least they give it a go. A significant number of pupils refuse to participate in the scheme, instead choosing to take an unofficial week's holiday. I suppose this is good practice for taking a "sickie" in the future. Pupils receive no pay while on a work experience programme, a fact that greatly pleases Scrooge employers. However, lest anyone accuse spiv businessmen of exploiting youngsters, it should be noted that companies with a sense of social conscience – mindful of having benefited from the child's week-long efforts – have been known to hand over ex-gratia payments of up to 20, a munificent sum that almost surpasses the weekly earnings of a child labourer chained to a carpet loom.

It would be fair to say classroom teachers are fully behind the work experience programme. Sure, we are denied a week of teaching our S4 scamps, but it's a sacrifice we are willing to make. I earnestly hope that Graham Donaldson's review of the teaching profession takes note of this selflessness.

It's only anecdotal, but in my experience, even if they are too bashful to say so, the working class are happy, not grumpy, to return to school.

Even the dopey start to appreciate the cocooned surroundings our education establishments provide.

Heigh-ho,heigh-ho, it's off to school we go!