Exploring Employability Skills - A Generational View: Part Two

City Voices: A City & Guilds Podcast

Employability skills – including effective communication and other workplace behaviours, are now essential for those aiming to find employment and progress their careers. The need for employability skills is consistently highlighted by employers, but young people entering the world of work often lack professional skills, and have limited knowledge of their importance at work.

In the second of two podcasts exploring this topic, Bryony Kingsland and Eric Oliver are joined by Kira and Rob, members of the City & Guilds Young Learner Advisory Team, who share their insights on the employability challenges faced by young people in the modern workplace. The discussion deepens into crucial aspects of employability, work-life balance, and employer-employee trust. Here's a breakdown of the topics covered:

• Transactional Nature of Employment: workplaces, where employees expect tangible returns for their efforts.
• Cultural Shift in Employment: The conversation explores whether the transactional nature of employment is due to cultural shifts or the current job market dynamics.
• Communication Skills: The importance of effective communication skills in navigating workplace dynamics, including negotiating salaries and discussing career progression.
• Access to Opportunities: The challenges faced by working-class individuals in accessing internships and entry-level positions, emphasising the need for equal opportunities.

The episode provides insights from on the importance of clear expectations, open-mindedness, and ongoing learning in the workplace.

Featured Guests:

• Hilary Gwilliam, Senior Category Manager at City & Guilds
• Kira Foster, Young Learner Advisory Team member at City & Guilds
• Rob Cotter, Young Learner Advisory Team member at City & Guilds

For more episodes from the Navigating the UK skills Challenges series click here.