3 essential things new freelancers must learn
New freelancers must master three critical skills: marketing themselves effectively to attract clients, managing finances and planning for unpaid time, and establishing systems to collect payments promptly from clients.
L&D is crucial to combatting youth unemployment
Learning and development programs are essential for reducing youth unemployment, particularly among ethnic minorities facing long-term joblessness. Expanding apprenticeships and training schemes can equip young people with career skills while addressing skills gaps in the workforce.
Insight: Nearly half of young people want better business skills
Nearly half of young people feel unprepared for future job demands, lacking skills employers will seek in entry-level positions. While young people prioritize IT and problem-solving abilities, research reveals they underestimate the importance of teamwork, broad subject knowledge, and adaptability that businesses will actually require.
News: Apprenticeships on the rise again
Apprenticeship vacancies jumped 28% between August and October 2014, with 46,920 positions advertised online compared to 36,690 the previous year. Health, Public Services and Care roles saw the biggest growth at 50%, while STEM fields also posted significant increases.
News: Councils call for more power to help young people into work or learning
Council leaders are calling on the government to grant local authorities greater responsibility and funding for youth employment and training schemes. The Local Government Association warns that thousands of young people could miss out on education or work without a complete overhaul of services.
TrainingZone interviews: MyKindaCrowd’s William Akerman
William Akerman from MyKindaCrowd discusses how social enterprises can bridge the school-to-work gap by connecting young people with industry mentors and real-world experience. He argues that technology and employer partnerships, rather than traditional career teachers, are key to developing work-ready skills and closing the UK’s skills gap.
University is not the be all and end all
With 160,000 students turned away from universities despite meeting entry requirements, Ian Harper argues society must reduce its obsession with degrees and recognize that vocational qualifications and apprenticeships provide equally valuable pathways to employment and economic success.
Budget 2010: Our forecast
The 2010 Budget promised training for young people but lacked concrete apprenticeship details. The forecast examines unemployment figures, NEET targeting, youth employment schemes, and bonus taxation under Chancellor Darling’s plan.
Government reveals shocking NEET figures
Government figures show one in six young adults aged 18-24 in England are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), with numbers reaching a record 835,000—up 100,000 year-on-year, largely due to recession and job shortages.