Has an archaic approach to education resulted in a 'switched off' generation? As the educational foundation Edge calls for a more practical approach to teaching young people, Cheryl Taylor - in the second of two features - examines the challenges that face those involved in training and coaching Generation Y as they enter the workforce.

If education switches people off learning what can trainers do about it? What are the challenges of training a 'switched off' generation? What different approaches will trainers have to use to attract and maintain people's attention?

David Pardey, senior manager of policy and research at the Institute of Leadership and Management, maintains that if you were to take someone from the Middle Ages and bring them forward to today they would struggle to recognise anything – the way we live, the work we do, how we travel, has all changed so much. But put them in a classroom and they would instantly recognise it:

"The biggest problem for many young learners today is that they are so used to working through different media that they feel that much of education is stuck in the middle ages – although modern technology is present, it is still often used in conventional ways, as an electronic chalkboard. It is this, as much as anything, that causes them to be switched off," he says.

"Young people are adept at collaborative learning at a distance, via MSN, texting, social networking sites and so on, and are used to moving through information in far less structured or standardised ways." David Pardey, ILM

"How can trainers overcome this? They need to embrace modern technology and build their training round its capabilities, not try and fit it into a conventional training model. This means recognising that young people are adept at collaborative learning at a distance, via MSN, texting, social networking sites and so on, and are used to moving through information in far less structured or standardised ways. In particular, they are used to finding things out, but perhaps don't always have the knowledge or skills to discriminate between good and not so good information!"

"What's more, older learners will also benefit from this style of learning, as it develops new skills for them – modern communication technologies can be just as worthwhile for all ages, it just needs an opportunity for older people to get engaged."

Vocational training
Claire McCartney, organisation and resourcing advisor of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, believes education is designed to be more interactive than in the past and there are several new ways of gaining qualifications such as Diplomas and Apprenticeships which cater to different needs and motivations.

"Research into Generation Y shows a desire for stimulating, varied work with opportunities for coaching and mentoring and a keenness for instant feedback. Generation Y typically enjoys working collaboratively and blurring the boundaries between work and their social life," she says.

"Generation Y typically enjoys working collaboratively and blurring the boundaries between work and their social life." Claire McCartney, CIPD

"Taking on board some of these preferences, training and development needs to be interactive - with opportunities for participants to contribute, challenge and try things out for themselves. A good form of development is to create project groups and encourage participants to develop new business products or solutions and work on 'real issues'. Generation Y has a natural tendency to use new technologies so this could be incorporated into the brief."

"Generation Y is also keen to have bespoke and tailored personal development that will help them to progress within the organisation. Involving senior managers and leaders in their development will be educational for both parties and a good way of using internal resources particularly in a downturn when budgets are tight."

Peter Mitchell, senior education advisor of the independent education foundation Edge comments: "There is currently a fracture between the qualifications young people are taking at school and those they are taking in the workplace. In 2008 the Audit Commission noted the absence of clear progression routes for vocational qualifications in England.

"This means that training professionals in business may well feel they have to start training new employees from scratch. In addition, many young people are influenced by the academic bias in school education, leading them down a route which leaves them lacking the skills needed by employers."

"The current system does not provide them with the many paths to success, including experience of the workplace that they want and need for their later lives. This leaves them unengaged with the education process and hardly in the best frame of mind to enter the workplace."

"Many young people are influenced by the academic bias in school education, leading them down a route which leaves them lacking the skills needed by employers." Peter Mitchell, Edge

Less academic, more practical education
In order to address the failings of the current educational system, Edge is calling on the Government to eliminate the current academic bias and ensure there are many paths to success, including more high quality vocational options with high-class facilities and specialist teachers. It recently launched its Six Steps to Change manifesto at the Institute of Directors in London.

According to research from Edge, the education system fails young people and businesses. Three-quarters (74 per cent) of young people feel that the current education system needs to be changed to better meet their needs. In addition, 70 per cent of young people now working full-time believe their education hasn't prepared them for the world of work.

The failure of the state education system to provide children with the basic life tools has an obvious impact on the workforce, and those who are training it. Can trainers in 2009 rise to this challenge?

Cheryl Taylor is a journalist and editor with more than 15 years experience, including national newspapers and magazines. To contact Cheryl telephone 01622 862962 or email [email protected]

To read her recent feature Generation Y: Yes, but, no but, whatever click here