LinkedIn ‘Big Ideas 2023: 20 bold predictions for the year ahead’, December 6th 2022: ‘The school-to-work path will be turned on its head’
Have you considered the future of the school-to-work path? LinkedIn spoke to Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of award-winning career consultancy City CV, to hear her thoughts on how it will be turned on its head…
Below is a short excerpt from LinkedIn’s Big Ideas 2023: 20 bold predictions for the year ahead.
The school-to-work path will be turned on its head
“University fees are eye-wateringly expensive, the cost of living is starting to bite and graduates are facing an unemployment rate of 12% (which equates to about 96,000 unemployed graduates every academic year). That’s compared to September 2022’s UK overall unemployment rate of 3.6%.
Those factors alone may be convincing young people that going to university isn’t the best financial start in life. Coupled with that, we’re also seeing workplaces offer education benefits, so people can start work first and then get an education, or “learn while they earn”.
This has come about in part because businesses are recognising that offering benefits outside of your salary is a game-changer in terms of attracting, engaging and retaining great talent – and that those benefits need to be better than a pool table and Friday beers. Employees are likely to be more content as learning is linked to happiness, and in turn that means a more productive and positive workplace. It’s a win-win.
While businesses offering educational opportunities to staff members may not be a new concept, more companies are adding this perk to their suite of employee benefits and this will become even more commonplace in 2023.
Victoria says “Businesses are recognising that offering benefits outside of your salary is a game-changer in terms of attracting, engaging and retaining great talent – and that those benefits need to be better than a pool table and Friday beers.”
“This is tempting people to join the workforce rather than go to university, whether that’s in entry-level jobs, paid internships or apprenticeships. On a practical level, it makes absolute sense. You get a solid financial start to your career while also having access to further education should you want it, and likely also a personal development plan and career growth. You’re also demonstrating your commitment to a company and a strong work ethic – both attributes that employers look for.”