July 25, 2011
A leading government think tank has called on school children to be educated in the nation’s employment laws to improve their job prospects in the future.
According to a survey conducted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), 82% of bosses rated attitude and work ethic as important in entry-level workers, versus 38% for literacy and numeracy.
As a result, a key recommendation from the CSJ report is that schools should add a fourth ‘R’ to reading, writing and arithmetic - ‘responsibility’. Under the idea, teenagers would be taught how to conduct themselves properly in the workplace.
Figures backed up the idea, and when asked why they turned down applicants for unskilled jobs, 62% of employers cited “poor work attitude and ethic” and 57% said poor presentation.
The report states: “Many employers told us that they believe students should leave education ‘work ready’ and that currently too many students fall short.
“Timekeeping, self-awareness, confidence, presentation, communication, teamwork and an ability to understand workplace relationships and legal requirements are too often below the standard required, particularly in younger job seekers.”
