Stewart Nicol: Talk to kids about work '“ they need support

Youngsters need guidance and inspiration before entering work.. Picture: Michael Gillen

As adults, we have a distinct responsibility to guide and inspire our young people. Scotland’s adult population, and not just parents, must recognise their influence over younger generations, exerting this power to guide, advise, and be a role model.

Recent studies have shown a disconnect between who and what adults may think influences young people, as opposed to what young people themselves actually think.

While it’s purported that media and friendship groups reign in swaying the decisions of the so-called ‘Generation Z’ (those born after 1997) – Gen Z themselves actually claim to be more influenced by parents, families and teachers.

What’s important to recognise is the power of similarity. We need to provide opportunities for young people to identify with real-life examples. Children with a parent working in a science, technology, engineering or maths-based career are far more likely to pursue a similar path.

For those without this influence, it’s up to us to provide it.

Every day we see headlines painting the young as ill-adapted for work, dreamers with lofty career ambitions yet with experience and knowledge not quite adding up. Words and phrases such as ‘lazy’ ‘possessing bizarre attitudes to work’ and ‘negative attitudes closing doors’ litter headlines and articles – leaving employers disconcerted when it comes to hiring the young. Too often, the media focuses on just one aspect of an industry – job losses, cutbacks and crises appear in news outlets daily.

It’s our job to put these stories into context for young people and ensure they do not, for example, dissuade an aspiring engineer from pursuing a career in the industry.

There are many things we can do. A talk from adults who have gone through the traineeships, apprenticeships, interviews, selection tests – anything a person entering the workforce may face – add a valuable human element and provide a role model.

Volunteering with youth groups, connecting through social media or searching for opportunities through your workplace are other great ways to connect. It can also be as simple as having a chat with a family friend, relative or colleague.

The teacher’s role cannot be ignored – studies reveal that attentive teachers who visibly enjoy their subject and engage with their class have a marked effect on the career choices of pupils.

Inverness Chamber of Commerce supports the Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) group. I have witnessed how interaction between employers, teachers, parents and the wider community benefits young people by creating new opportunities to share knowledge and experience.

We must all realise our role in sharing our successes, failures and tips to help inspire the next generation.

Stewart Nicol is chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce.