Skills Exchange engages future workforce

The project will run indefinitely, having been launched earlier this month, and will involve as many corporates and 16 to 18- year-old students as possible. Early response has been strong, with the island’s sixth forms and a broad cross-section of business leaders expressing support for it.

The Skills Exchange is a values-based matching programme with students from the Grammar School and Guernsey College taking part. The initiative was created to try to help address a difference in requirements between the generation entering work and existing employer culture. International research has confirmed that younger workers take into account a raft of considerations about where they would ideally like to work, otherwise they will move after a short period.

During the brainstorm session held at Guernsey Chamber’s Markets headquarters, students said an organisation’s work in the community was something they would research, together with their attitudes to diversity and inclusion.

Global research has shown that only 48 per cent of young workers believe businesses behave ethically, compared with 65 per cent in 2017.

Guernsey Chamber is aware that a high number of its members have extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives running, but are not necessarily using that information when recruiting. While some of the islands’ recruitment agencies cover these aspects during the interview process, employers interviewing directly may not focus on it.

Students at the launch event were enthusiastic about being paired with mentors on a values basis.

‘One of the things I would look for is to identify a company that might help me to develop my strengths. I’m a bit shy, so if they worked with me on finding some more confidence, that would really help. I know that academically I have good strengths but my shyness holds me back,’ said one of the student participants.

Others said a company’s awareness of employee health would be important.

‘I think our generation are more mindful about having a healthy, long life, and work is a big part of that, so you need to spend that big chunk of your time with an ability to stay well,’ said another participant.

Corporates emphasised to the sixth formers that mentoring was, in no way, ‘taking someone’s time’ because it was a valuable exchange of thoughts and ideas which benefited both parties. The important role that a mentor can play in a student’s life was emphasised by contributor Paula Williams, who said her training and non-exec roles were the result of positive mentoring at the start of her work life when she was reassured about her capabilities.

The initiative involves a broad-cross section of corporates who will be donating an hour a week for six weeks (or longer if both parties agree) during the first part of 2019. The option of adding paid holiday work as part of the scheme is also an option.

n Anyone interested in finding out more about Skills Exchange can email office@guernsey chamber.com.