A Case Study for Student-Alumni Netwoking: the Guild Musical Theatre Group

As a member of this Forum told me recently, a good theory is all very well, but we need an example to show that it can work. So here is one such example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2UG13_xyR4&list=UU9026NfiQsgHiYhb77QRDdQ

And here is why I think it can work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQDtSioYr1w

The Guild Musical Theatre Group (or 'GMTG' as it is known), is a former student society of mine, at the University of Birmingham (England). For nearly 30 years, students from every department and school of study come together, to put on musical theatre productions, for the enjoyment of the student population, among many others. In face there are quite a few student societies like this, at colleges and universities around the world, where students can pursue their passion. What makes this one special, is that over the course of these years, it has become much more.

The society's Alumni have gone one to do great things. Everything from starring roles in the Book of Mormon, at London's West End; to the world famous train proposal by the Adam Street Singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mWXrHi1Rks  many of whom were Guild Musical Theatre Group's Alumni. Meanwhile, the students themselves have built the society up to a very professional level, extending their operations to include classes, and community projects. While many students do it for fun, some have a burning desire to work in the performing arts industry. And so this is, in effect, a training school for the stage, in all but name.

So what would happen if all 28 of so generations of Alumni and students were brought together? They would be able to build themselves a powerful arts network. The performing arts as an industry relies so much on personal connections: and so this network would have both the academic insight and the business connections, to guarantee some very good career opportunities for students and for Alumni who took part in it. For so long, students have jumped at the chance for a career in the arts: and here is a prime opportunity to create one. I had hoped that a 30 years' reunion would be the catalyst for this, but sadly the event did not take place. However, there are other ways for the students and Alumni, to make connections.

I have encouraged the student committee to contact the Alumni they know, and set up events etc, to make connections. The challenge that both sides will face is an obvious question: 'what's in it for me'? As a fellow Alumnus told me about mentoring and coaching the students, "I want to help" he said, "but I have a family to feed and a business to run. What reason would I have to take time away from my family and business, to do this?" The students, likewise, have many exam commitments, and may not be able to spend their whole time networking.

So here's what's in it for both students and Alumni: current members of GMTG who are serious about a career in the performing arts, may have the drive and the passion to succeed; but what they will need are the connections within the industry to make that happen. The Alumni in turn, who now work in the performing arts industry, are pretty tenacious artists, and have a can do attitude to their work. But like all of us Alumni, they will still need new ideas and innovations for their businesses, from people who can think outside the box: the kind of ideas from new projects that the students are working on.

So what could happen, is a two way information sharing process, to help both sides. Alumni who need new ideas for their businesses can attend an online Q & A session, as the current committee have suggested so far. The students could throw ideas at them, from their own learning experience - let's face it, no two generations of  students are the same. After all, every year brings a new generation of students; and another generation graduates to join the Alumni. So there are always new perspectives on an issue that the students can offer. The Alumni in turn can then answer the students' questions about how best to get into the arts industry, and who best to approach as their connections.

This process would help both students and Alumni, and I hope that it can be made a permanent part of the society's operations. Granted that the ultimate decisions on student Alumni networking will reside with GMTG's Committee: and I respect that some members are simply part of GMTG for fun, and to broaden their learning experience. But for the sake of members who are serious about a performing arts career, I strongly recommend that you consider taking this opportunity, because it will reap some serious rewards. And here's the thing: these principles could apply to any student society or Alumni network.

For example, within a science club, students with a passion for science could exchange information with Alumni who are practising scientists. Even if they weren't science students themselves, the club's member's interest would ensure many new ideas and insights that could help the Alumni. The Alumni in turn could give good advice to any students who were considering changing their career path to science. The same knowledge transfer arrangement, could be set up between engineering, medical, or sports students and Alumni, to name a few examples.

So I would like to propose that the Guild Musical Theatre Group be considered as an example of student-Alumni networking; and I look forward to the efforts of students and Alumni, over the next few months, to make new connections and share knowledge.

Student Internships for All?

After a recent conversation with one university's student ambassador, I was surprised and disappointed to learn, that student internships aren't available to students from all schools of study. As the ambassador told me, some students have come simply to broaden their horizons: they are not necessarily going into the profession they are studying for. Therefore, the focus is normally on the business students, who are presumed to be motivated to go into their professions: at least for this university. But I say that the students who are clearly set on going into a profession should all be given the chance to gain work experience as interns.





It may be true that students do change their choice of study, and yes, I do remember that at University, we weren't always sure what we wanted to do after graduation. This is still certainly true for students today. For example, I was told that psychology students aren't necessarily wanting to become full time psychologists when they graduate: they are trying to broaden their learning experience. And yes, some science and mathematics students I have known, are now working in financial roles; because their knowledge of numbers is transferrable.





But there are students in each school of study who do have a genuine passion for their chosen subject. After all, higher education is quite and investment: and this is a clear incentive for a graduate to put his or her knowledge to use. Internships should certainly be used when a college or university is geared to one profession. A film academy, for example, has students who are clearly serious about working in that industry: and students should be given every opportunity to works as runners, grips etc, to learn the craft firsthand.



Also, the theory of studying for a profession can be very different from working there in practise. So if a student is not sure, then what better way to know, than to be exposed to the real thing for a few weeks? Besides which, to academic professionals who are reading this article: I put it to you that even the most motivated of business students can still change their minds, and hence, their career paths, after graduation. I've known a few who have. No one is entirely sure what profession we may end up in, and many of us have held down several different roles, from different industries. But when a young person's family invest in full time education at a college or university, to study for a chosen profession; then a student should always be given the chance to gain actual experience in that profession.





Even if someone is not seriously considering the profession that he or she is studying for; their work as an intern could still transfer vital knowledge into that industry; while the student in turn gains transferrable skills from the mentoring and coaching of industry professionals. Using psychology as an example; students of psychology could still bring some useful insights, based on their own learning experience. The psychologists in turn, may be able to show the students their work firsthand: so that some student interns may actually decide that is what they want to do, after graduation.




I remember at the Law Faculty, that internships were encouraged, in the form of pupillages and similar arrangements, usually at the end of our Sophomore Year. While internships are certainly encouraged now, by all university careers officers, I would go one further; and say that a student's internship should form an integral part of his or her final year of study. After all, medical and dental students have work experience as part of their degrees: so why shouldn't their fellow students of other Schools have the same?





An industry is an industry. Each profession needs input from the next generation of future professionals. The students of each subject in turn, need the mentoring and coaching, to prepare for that industry. So it is logical and fair, that students of every school of study should always be given the option to work as interns in their chosen industry. The knowledge transfer to both the students and mentors is invaluable: as existing mentoring schemes have shown. We need to make sure that this happens within all industries, to ensure opportunities for students of all professions. And for the many non-graduates who deserve the chance in to work in their chosen industry: I strongly support qualified assessment, leading to full blown apprenticeships, as their way into the profession of their choice.

The State of Things

In recent news, there have been rumblings within the economies in mainland Europe. This goes to show, that the Government's cheerful message that we are 'coming out' of the Recession just isn't true. The empty shops; the number of homeless people on our streets; food banks; and the sheer number of applicants for jobs in all of our cities, should have been obvious clues to this. So rather than wait for disaster to strike again, I suggest that we take action.

In the film Margin Call, which captures the events around the beginning of the Recession, the fictional company's CEO (played by Jeremy Irons), recounts the previous economic downturns in the last few centuries. "What can we do?" he concludes dismissively.

What we can do, is to take a few common-sense measures to help our economies:

• Student-Alumni networking should be brought up to full capacity. Colleges and universities are information powerhouses, with students and teachers from around the world. This knowledge should be put to good use through knowledge transfer between students and Alumni. If every student worked as an intern in his/her chosen industry, then this would allow these students to put their knowledge into local businesses, and hence, into their local economies. The Alumni in turn would be able coach and mentor the students, in readiness for their careers. This would be a win-win scenario for both sides.
• Qualified Assessment should be used to assess the skills of Non-Graduates. The apprenticeships system has been a proven success for all professions: and this same system can be used to assess and qualify all 16-24 year olds who are not in education or training. This would ensure that their grades reflect their skills, so that talented non-graduates are still able to build careers: and non-graduates of even average ability get a chance to develop their skills.
• Business start-ups should be enabled as much as possible, to create new jobs. Crowd funding has given a huge boost to investment for small businesses. What we need now are the mechanisms to get the right people and ideas together to set businesses up. I believe that a new Toolkit for start-ups will be a good way to achieve this.

If this were done in all countries whose economies are struggling, then I believe it would go a long way to strengthening them, so that when the next financial Tsunami hits us, we stay standing.

I invite you to make it happen.

Global Enrepreneurship Week

To add to the momentum of Global Entrepreneurship Week, this week, I invite all entrepreneurs to take a look at this; here's a special new resource for you: http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/a-toolkit-for-entrepreneurs.html

What's In it for Me?

Someone has just raised an interesting point. The question everyone is asking is: the start-ups database is a good idea, but what's in it for me? A good point, and I'd like to answer it. In fact, that question could be asked for student-Alumni networking, non-graduate assessment.  And the same answer applies. On the surface, this may appear to be just another endeavour among hundreds, if not thousands of attempts to create new jobs and opportunities - so why go with this one? And my response is; because it addresses a very basic need: people's aspirations for jobs and careers.

Jobs and opportunities are the raw materials of our economy. The Government and the employment agencies are very good at processing them. (The number of adverts encouraging business start ups, and giving start up advice at the job centres, are proof of this.) But what they don't tell you, is that they need entrepreneurs and volunteers like yourselves to create jobs and opportunities in the first place.

Let me give you a few examples. As one member of this Forum has told me, he feels that the over-55's are one group of people, who are marginalised and undervalued. It is true that many of the unemployed professionals I have met, have had worked for decades in their industries, and have a very high amount of skill; but who have, in effect, been written off, because they have passed a certain age. The 79% increase since 2008 alone, in lawsuits for age-related discrimination, shows that ageism is a real problem.

So I say to anyone over 55: here is a way for you to be valued. If I were starting a new business, I would want someone who actually knew the industry I was planning to get into, to advise me. In fact, I would want someone with a lot of experience, who knew the industry inside out. (And I for one, certainly want to be listened to when I turn 55!) This is definitely an area where being of an older age is an asset. People who have worked in an industry for decades don’t need to be patronised, by being put through the usual job programmes and courses: they should be empowered to come together and use their experience to start something new. That is why I believe that professionals over 55’s would make very good advisors for business start-ups, and can also play a big part in setting them up.

The same goes for non-graduates. There are plenty of young people aged 16-24 who went straight into work, and may not have as many qualifications as others. But they actually have a lot of skill, from experience, and have talent that has not yet been discovered. While we don’t always get the break we want in life, I’ve known many non-graduates, who have earned their place in good organisations. One school leaver who I knew, worked her way up to manage a chain of stores. What non-graduates do need thought, is the chance to prove themselves. An entry level job in a start-up or small business could be the perfect place to take the first step. Non-graduates could lend their skills to help set up a new business; and in the process, gain new connections, insight, and earn major points for their resume.

On the innovations side; from working on projects, I know for a fact, that there are always ideas that people have, that they can’t put into action, and have to be shelved. Granted, some were made into business ventures that didn’t work, but there are plenty more ideas that were never tested at all. Colleges and universities are definitely the place to find these innovations. The amount of new ideas I have heard students come out with, is amazing. And their universities and colleges themselves have many side ventures, from their partnerships with key business organisations.

To the students-Alumni and careers officers of the colleges and universities: I invite you to use these innovations, and upload your concepts onto this database, for budding entrepreneurs to make into products and services. If your innovation has not yet been utilised, then perhaps a new entrepreneur can find a way to bring it to life.

And there are many others in the workplace who feel stuck in dead end jobs, with no real development or career. I’ve seen them in many different organisations, over many years. It’s always the same old story. These people want to do so much more. They have ideas for things, and some even have pet projects or special interests that they are trying to nurture on the side. But for one reason or another, their role either does not allow them to what they really want to, and there aren’t the opportunities to move on to. So they get frustrated, or bitter, and eventually leave or are thrown out in unhappy circumstances. It didn’t have to be this way.

Some people have great innovations. Others have skills and labour to lend. Still others, have years of experience, and good connections. If all of you come together right now, then you have the makings of a business. So to all these people, and more, I say to you: you do not have to sit there in frustration, or wonder what might have been. Young people  who are reading this article: you should not have to struggle to get a decent job or career. This is your future and you are our future. To fellow adults: I say that as those of us over 30 know only too well, that there is nothing worse than looking back on your life, and regretting what might have been. Believe me, you don't want to do that. So to young people and adults alike, I say to you: if you feel undervalued, held down, or have a burning idea/skill for making something new, then come and be a part of this. Help start something where you get to be valued and develop.

You are welcome to list your ideas, or contact details for concepts, contacts or skills you would like to lend, onto the following pages:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBc5hecrgEfTFJDQm11STM3TVE#list

 

Kind Regards

 

James M

This is Your Chance

Qualified Assessment: How We Can Unleash Young People's Potential

Hi All

One of my friends from recruitment has raised a very interesting point. The conventional ways of recruiting a candidate for a job, would be to assess his/her work history, check the required grades, and conduct the necessary interviews. But the massive development of social media over the last few years, now means that a person's attitude, personality and many other traits can be judged very precisely, from his/her online activity.

Online behavioural studies are an evolving method of recruitment. There is, I am told, a very sophisticated process to measure people's potential in this way. And therein lies the potential for something very important: this method of recruitment could also be used to help NEETS.

As I have said before, I firmly believe that young people  who are not in education or training (also known as 'NEETS'), can still be assessed and qualified according to their skill level. This will ensure that non-graduates to get the higher education they may have been denied. After all, people should not have to be taught what they already know. If a young person possesses a skill for which he or she does not yet have a grade, then that young person should be assessed and qualified to reflect his or her actual skill level. I myself have obtained a customer service and a music qualification through assessment, so it can definitely work.This will give them a fighting chance against their full time apprentice, and student counterparts.

The government could create a scheme, where special referrals can be made, by employers, teachers, parents; or an ‘Responsible Adult’, to offer a young person a free (full) assessment of his/her skills and abilities. This would be similar to the pre-screening process for apprenticeships: but it could be applied to any given skill: or even a full assessment of all the young person’s skills. Once a Formal Recommendation is made, an assessor could be appointed, to check the candidate’s progress. The assessor would determine what grades the candidate would qualify for; and if the candidate needs to sit an exam, what further training or preparation is needed for this. The candidate would then receive the grade(s) from the assessor, or be referred to sit the relevant exam.

Qualified assessment has been used in the past, but I believe that the full assessment of non-graduates, both in and out of work should be made universal. The way for us to ensure that they have good success, is by using the same qualifications system, as for apprentices. In this way, all young people, aged 16-24 should be offered a free full assessment of their existing skills and abilities.

Further: the attitude, personality and the psychological alignment could be assessed, of a young candidate not in education or training. A profile could then be made from this information, and it could be used, in much the same way as for candidates marked for top organisations, to gauge a candidate's exact potential.

I think this would go a long way, to helping non-graduates (especially NEETs) to overcome the social and financial barriers they may face, to securing a good career. The challenge will be how to integrate this into our society's institutions. A good place to start would be the job centre. A candidate's alignment potential could be assessed, as well as their potential for certificate qualifications. In fact, there are several key stages where this may be applied, as I suggested in another article:

• School leavers. 16 year olds and above who are going straight into full time work.

• Job seekers. As well as the normal courses offered to those seeking employment, a comprehensive assessment could be carried out on non-graduates, to give them the chance to qualify for key grades.

- In full time employment. If an employee’s line manager, or a student’s teacher can see that he or she possesses an ungraded skill, then a candidate in any profession should be referred for assessment.

• Long term unemployed. Full assessment should also be offered to anyone who has been actively looking for employment for more than a year.

• Registered disabled. Any non-graduates who consider themselves to have a handicap or disability, should be offered full assessment of their skills, to allow them to adjust fairly, and give them opportunities to find the work they want.

• Incarcerated or long term detained. All 16-24 year old non-graduates in care, detained, or incarcerated, could be fully assessed as part of their rehabilitation/treatment.

If qualified assessors, profilers and recruiters could be stationed in each of these situations, they could work in tandem, coordinating their efforts, to ensure that young candidates can be qualified according to their ability: and also, assessed by online interaction, according to their real potential. Once an employer sees a young person’s potential, a lot of things can happen. The candidate can be offered night classes; an apprenticeship; or further certificates, as part of his or her on-the job training.

There will of course, be some young people whose skills are average, and who are not particularly ambitious. They are happy with a job that pays the bills, as long as there are good friends and hobbies to take part in. But by offering all non-graduates a free full assessment, I believe that even the less talented candidates will be made happier. They will know they were given a real chance for something better, and will not be left wondering what might have been.

To the recruiters, assessors, and careers officers: I urge you to develop a new type of certificate qualification: to assess young candidates' professional alignment, from their online interaction, communications and other skills. This, and a full qualified assessment of their other skills, will ensure that all young people not in education or training get the chance for an education and a career.

We should try this.

Best Regards

James M

Founder

Video Update for November - Let's Build Bridges (an open forum)

Degree or No Degree? The Fight for Education

As the debate rages about tuition fees, and the challenges that the current generation of students are facing, I want to make sure that all young people are getting a fair chance for an education. We all agree that young people deserve education of training to an adequate level, to prepare them for life, but with the cost of tuition fees in the UK at £9,000 a year, this is a serious financial burden for young people considering higher education.

Yes, financial support can be provided to them. It is true that young people from low income families can still have the financial support to go to college or university: and as students, they will be able to make use of their student-Alumni networks to gain careers. But the fact remains, that the prospect of a £50,000 debt - not including rent, food costs, clothing, utility bills, and commuting costs - is off putting to anyone who wants to study at a college or university, as people have said recently on BBC 3's Free Speech Programme. So I say that we need to put safety nets in place, to make sure that young people aren't priced out of an education. All 16-24 year olds who choose higher education should have the right kind of financial assistance that won't land them in debt, when they finish their studies and graduate. For anyone who chooses not to have higher education, an alternative should be offered for them.

Apprenticeships are brilliant, because they give the candidate the most important means to make a career: real experience in their industry of choice from day one. And what I like about the apprenticeships especially, is that they work by levels, through qualified assessment. I'm a firm believer in the fact that you don't need to teach someone what he or she already knows: the candidate can be assessed and qualified to his or her skill level. You can start from even a basic level of training and get maybe a level 1 or 2 certificate in your chosen industry. This may not sound like much, but I can assure you: it is very important to an employer, because this shows your potential. And here's the thing: this system could also be used for NEETS.

Young people who are not in full time education, or training (including apprenticeships) - otherwise known as NEETS -  could still be assessed and qualified the same way, as part of a pre screening process.  I know that the Government is paying assessors to concentrate on candidates who qualify successfully for an apprenticeship: but a special scheme could be set up for those who don't. (I've also written about this in another article: http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/a-new-way-to-assess-non-graduates-neets.html )

A pre-screening process could be built into several key institutions, to catch young people whose talent is not yet realised. For example, the Job Centres, and youth drop in centres, could hire qualified assessors, to check the skills, as part of their service, to the young people who come to them. Organisations like the Training Providers Association could use qualified assessment, as part of their referrals process. If a trainer, or recruiter has found that a 16-24 year old candidate has a skill for which he or she is not yet qualified, then an assessor can award that young person a grade as part of the transfer. This can be coordinated at each stage of young peoples' careers.

Assessors who come into contact with non-graduates with ungraded skills, could offer them a s special one off assessment, sponsored by the Government. Recruiters and assessors could arrange to work in tandem, checking unqualified volunteers, and then, young people on work placements, for possible apprenticeships. Such a process could even be built into initiatives such as the ASCENT programme, which I understand, is helping people to find work. This would not be a full blown apprenticeship in itself, but would go a long way to reflecting the young person's actual skill level: and putting him/her in a better position to apply for further education or training. And a young person who has never worked in an industry before, should have a clear career path into it: from to the voluntary work to get started; to active work placements; then to an apprenticeship/higher education degree, to become a fully fledged member of that industry.

For young people who are in higher education, I say more needs to be done to make colleges and universities' student-Alumni networks the bridges into each industry. As I have argued in other articles, each school of study could have its own student-Alumni network, so that students and Alumni of that industry work as a team from day one. Engineering students and Alumni for example, could be given a special Engineering network, within a university's main online network  - the main network retaining its use for students and Alumni of all disciplines. Student societies are another untapped networking resource, again as I have argued elsewhere on these pages. All students who are members of a society on their campus, that has been established for more than 10 years, should consider negotiating with their society's Alumni to see what links they could forge. For example, a science club could in fact offer useful links to Alumni who are practising scientists and so on.

Lessons could also be learned (no pun intended), from the structure of the apprenticeships system itself. I encourage more universities and colleges to offer apprenticeship-style internships and placements for their students, in local businesses, so that the student works as an intern, and the employer mentors and coaches him/her for work in that industry. Working experience goes a long way on a resume, to getting the job, and a student can even make some useful connections to get started. The businesses themselves could even become sponsors, helping to fund the students' tuition. That is why work placements like this could become an integral part of each college or university degree. Alumni in professions that rely heavily on connections for people to get jobs (such as theatre directors, or music producers), could build more specialised online networks for the purpose.

In this way, we can use our education system effectively. As a slogan once said, 'No Child Left Behind'. No 16-24 year old should be left behind either. So by ensuring a series of safety nets in place, we offer young people the education they need: either in the form of a degree at college or university; an apprenticeship in the industry of their choice; or qualified assessment to enhance their talent. Young people deserve a chance. Let's make sure that they get it.


Best Regards

James M



Founder

Let's Build Bridges [an open forum]

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Lets-Build-Bridges-5133737?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419487984829959/

Blog:  http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/

A Thing of the Past? The New Fight for Jobs

It's tempting to believe the Government's rhetoric that we are 'coming out' of the Recession, but I don't buy it.  Many shops stand empty, food banks are on the increase; and the last job I applied for had over 150 other applicants. It's a familiar story. My interviewers' feedback for one job said it all. "We know you can do the job: but so can 19 of the other people who applied for it." Add to that, the wave or redundancies soon to be made in several of our nations' key companies: and it doesn't take a genius to work out, that the Recession is not a thing of the past. As I have argued elsewhere on these pages, it is still very much with us.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 not only killed a great many innocent people, it also caused severe damage to communities, infrastructure, and the lives of many survivors. The Recession, while not as physically dangerous, has caused major psychological damage to our society as a whole. It caused serious internal damage to institutions, which did not show at the time, but is not coming to the surface, in the shape of cuts to local government, as well as on-going redundancies throughout private sectors companies.

So what is the solution? While I may not have all the answers, there is one way we can definitely get people their jobs back. The Government will of course, be working on job creation schemes, which at the moment, are still sorely needed. But since around two thirds of jobs are to be found in the smaller businesses, it makes sense that we concentrate on the most reliable source for new jobs: business start-ups.

When we think about it: what is a business? A team of capable people, working to make a concept a reality, by providing a product or service, to customers. Without start-ups, there would be no business as I'm sure business people reading this will agree. So if we can find ways to put both aspects together, we can ensure the creation of more small businesses, and hence, more jobs.   From experience, I know that when you're working on a project, there are always new ideas for products and services, that innovators have had to shelve.

There are also plenty of capable adults whose talents are not used, nor are they valued. And there are young people whose skills are not yet realised, but have real potential to offer. Put all of these elements together and you have the makings of a new business or institution. Common sense tells us that a healthy economy needs thriving industries and enterprise, so that people have more money to spend, so this is where we should start. Our digitally connected society allows us access to many social networks to make this happen.

That is why I am currently working with others, to create a new kind of database for business start ups. If innovators upload ideas they have not yet implemented, onto a special database; and people wanting to start a new business, put their contact details onto that same database; then entrepreneurs will have all the basic resources they need to start a business, in one place. Entrepreneurs need something that not only allows them to select not only the people to work with, but also, the new products and services to try. They need a special kind of business app, that provides them with a complete Toolkit for a start-up.

If such an initiative seems hard to achieve, then consider this. In my region alone, we have seen the building of Europe's first fully integrated facility, The Hive; which combines both Worcester University's, and the County Council's libraries; to create an information powerhouse for both students, and members of the public alike. Its counterpart, the Birmingham Library, has shown similar cutting edge innovations in learning resources, that will inspire librarians around the world to do the same. The Sixways rugby stadium, for sport; and the Midlands Arts Centre; have also been a huge inspiration to the people who practise their craft. They will inspire countless generations of athletes and artists to do the same.

Every one of these projects began as an idea. With the right resources, determination, and the commitment of a dedicated group of people, it became a reality. This is what we can achieve if we put together the innovations of the thinkers, with the right groups of capable people, to build new businesses.

So I invite all people who want to start a business, or have a concept they want make a reality, to please submit your info to:

gorilla.opportunity@gmail.com

And you're welcome to join the network on Google+ :

https://plus.google.com/108660978572646258999/posts

It's time to create jobs. Let's do it.


Best Regards

James M



Founder

Let's Build Bridges [an open forum]

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Lets-Build-Bridges-5133737?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419487984829959/

Blog:  http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/

A 'Trip Advisor' for Recruitment?

Here's an idea that I think will help improve young people and adults' employability.

The recruiters I have spoken to have confirmed that while there are many online feedback services for companies in general, there is not yet a specific service, exclusively for recruitment and application issues. If this is true, I propose that we set up a special online feedback service, for users to comment on all issues affecting the recruitment and application for full time or part time employment.

For example, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation might consider working with the Review Centre, or similar service provider to set one up. A larger network would have more impact, as the Review Centre's users are over 3 million in number. There are, of course, legal issues to consider, such as non-disclosure agreements from the recruiter's side, and possibly in the case of some applicants as well.

Therefore, to ensure equal protection for employers and reviewers alike; job applicants could write anonymous online reviews about their experience, and recruiters could also write anonymously, about general issues they have dealt with. Neither they nor the organisations involved, would be mentioned by name; but general issues that came up again and again, could be raised online, to be considered by the recruitment industry as a whole.

In this way, a specialised feedback service for job applicants, and recruiters, would allow system wide improvements to be made throughout the recruitment and application process as a whole. I submit that this would go a long way to helping the employability of both young people and adults.

I welcome your thoughts on this.

James M

Founder

Let's Build Bridges [a forum]

Stepping Stones: the Pathways to a Career

‘Where do I get started’? This is the most important question that every future professional will ask and therefore, every recruiter, employer or institution should always remember. We need to make sure that there is a clear pathway for every young person or adult, to progress steadily, from a hobby in their spare time; to full training, and then to a career in the profession that he or she has chosen. But for a new recruit to do this, a series of stepping stones need to be in place; leading from the moment a person shows an interest in a new profession, to the moment when he or she becomes a fully-fledged member of that industry. This is our challenge.

A big part of joining any profession is the path that a new recruit takes to get into that profession. It doesn’t just begin when the new recruit joins a course to study for a new profession. The experience is earned at a far earlier stage. For example I have been interested in conducting singers, but how do you become and MD? It has certainly helped that my choir’s leaders have let me have a go at conducting rehearsals. This is the first step. Anyone serious about a career MDing can use this experience to get on the career path to becoming one. The same logic applies to every other profession.

Clubs and societies are not just pastimes. They are arguably the first step in the process leading to a career. This I would say, is where professionals really begin. As the uninitiated, they learn to work as part of a group, learning a skill, and the commitment and responsibility that goes with it. They learn teamwork, and the importance that any one individual plays in the process. And then they put this into a game or performance that can inspire many.

This life experience can then be used to gain entry into new courses, or to volunteer for unpaid tasks in the profession of choice. The recruit can then build upon this work, to apply for placements and internships in the companies of his or her chosen industry. The past experience counts for a lot when a recruit is fighting to break into a new industry. The placements and internships can then lead to an apprenticeship, or part time/temporary role. Until finally, the new recruit is offered a full time job, making his or her ambition into a real career.

That is how it should work for every profession that a person wants to get into. Sadly, not all of the steps that people need to get into professions like sport or the performing arts are in place right now.  Let's Be Cops may be a comedy about two hapless police impersonators; but at the heart of it, is the serious story of two unsuccessful men, who are trying to do something worthwhile with their lives: and after all, how do you become a cop? To any recruiter facing a shortfall in candidates for your industry, I say to you: the reason you don't have enough people, is most likely that the career pathways are not in place to allow them into your profession. The clubs and societies for these industries, at the time of writing, are dropping away; as their organisers are having to divert attention to pay their bills. Resources are also tight, and I understand that pastimes are not high on the list of people’s priorities right now.

But at the same time, these clubs societies and voluntary initiatives need to be kept going for the sake of tomorrow’s professionals and industries. How do you become a scientist? Or an engineer? Or a doctor? I suspect that if the best doctors, engineers or scientists were honest, they had a genuine passion for their profession from a young age, and were involved in clubs or societies, read magazines about, and did voluntary work to do with each of their industries. This is something that we need to nurture today: both for young people interested in these careers for the first time; and for adults who want a career change. Otherwise, as other bloggers have proven, lack of experience means that an applicant falls into the old Catch 22 situation, and is not able to get the job:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140928204520-12998207-survey-conducted-on-linkedin-states-the-obvious-lack-of-experience-is-the-biggest-issue-entry-level-professionals-have?trk=object-title

To use sales logic, as I was once taught in training, a sales campaign must have 3 key elements to be successful: ease, choice, and accessibility. It should be easy for customers to find products: an online search, phone call or personal enquiry should quickly take them to the product they are after. The second part is that they must be able to have a wide range of choices available for the product or service. And if we couldn’t find them the one they wanted, there should have been plenty of alternatives available. The third element was accessibility. A customer should be able to find, select and purchase a product directly, without having to spend time going through screen after screen of red tape and legal jargon. These elements ensured that the campaign ran smoothly, and made it a huge success. That is why this logic should be applied to recruitment as well.

Consider the English Football Association. Their system was designed so that, in theory, a lowly amateur football team could get professional status and then rise through the divisions. For a few decades at least, the best really could get to the top. Granted the system has been eroded by internal politics and by forces of globalisation of sport, but for a long time, at least, the principle of a real meritocracy was established. How many careers have been made and how many millions of people’s lives have been inspired, because of this?

Indeed passion goes a long way to success. While proposing the plan for a visual arts festival, I suggested that the organisers recruit their volunteers from among the existing arts clubs in the city. It was there that the passion would be found. As the saying goes: if you’re looking for an apple tree, look in an orchard. People who loved art would seize the opportunity to take part in such an event. They would always go the extra mile to help; and for them, it would be a dream come true.

And as I found, when doing voluntary work for the arts; young people’s passion for the industry is something else. Having been bombarded by media stereotypes of juvenile delinquents and ‘spongers’ living off the state, I thought that young people didn’t have the drive to apply themselves. I was in for a rude awakening.

It soon became clear from volunteering as a youth advisor to help children and young people in theatrical, that there were actually a huge number of them wanting to be on the stage. As I have written in other articles, at least 3 amateur societies had a waiting list twice the size of the society itself! The average number on the waiting lists was 80 candidates, which for England, was a very large number. Fortunately an academy system was devised, to engage the young people not in current shows. But all the same the issue was clear. It wasn’t that young people didn’t want to try at all: the opportunities simply weren’t there for them.

And the dedication of these children and young people was extraordinary. In one case, a girl came to audition for a part in a rock musical. Through hours of makeup and months of practise, she had moulded herself into the exact image of the character she was to portray. If her audition was anything like the others, her energy and dedication would be to a professional’s level. The panel would have seen that her character was perfect in every detail.  

She was 10 years old.

I came away from that show feeling very humbled by such dedication.

An even more humbling experience came a few year later, after my role, when I went to see a schools’ version of the musical Les Miserables. Arguably one of the greatest musicals of all time, it requires some serious understanding of the characters and the dramatic setting to pull it off, as audiences may have noticed from the Hugh Jackman film, and from the epic anniversary edition at the 02 Arena. On stage, you can’t just sing the numbers: you have to perform very word, know every character, and live the musical in every which way. So this was going to a huge challenge for any group of young people to take on.

I took my place at the back of the seating area and waited for the performance to begin. A scaled down version of the orchestration began. But it did not prepare me for what came next. Over the course of the following 3 hours, this group of children and young people managed to out-sing, out-act and out-perform every professional group I had ever known. We, the audience, were moved to genuine tears by the death scenes, roused to our feet by the fight scenes, and overawed by the sheer drama of what these young people did. The standing ovation that we all gave them at the end was – I can assure you – quite deserved. I defy any professional dramatist not to be moved by the performance that they gave. It is no surprise that one of the young people is now in a film academy in New York, even as I write.

And yet most of these talented young people would be made to go into ‘safe’ professions, where they would perform repetitive tasks, which were nothing to do with the profession they wanted, their talent buried and never used. Indeed the same can be said for all professions. How many young scientists, or engineers are we turning away, by playing it safe with their future? How many future cops or doctors are we discouraging, by forcing young people into roles that aren’t right for them, just to pay the bills? I say the same thing that I thought when coming away from my voluntary work, and later, from that spectacular show: these kids deserve better. And so do the adults who want a new career.

So how can we make sure that professions really are accessible to the young people and adults who want to work in them? I propose that recruiters consider the following measures, to make this achievable:

 

·         There should be an equivalent feedback service to Trip Advisor, for all recruitment and application issues. This will show where the gaps are in the recruitment for every profession, and will allow the Government, and employers to bridge them effectively.

·         Talent scouts should be sent to every club or society for the profession for which they are recruiting. Passion goes a long way, and the genuine interest a person shows in a hobby, could make it a real profession for them.

·         Clubs and societies that have existed for more than 10 years should be encouraged to negotiate actively, with Alumni/former members who went into the industry. For example, a science club with members who are keen on studying for the profession would benefit from the advice of Alumni who are practising scientists. If successful, training schemes might even be set up, to allow enthusiasts a direct route into the industry.

·         Festivals should be promoted to people who would not normally have access to their subject matter. For example, my old university’s Summer Music Festival gave me, a law student at the time, a chance to be part of something I would never normally get into: an opera! But this is the kind of thing that festival organisers should encourage. Give people a chance to take part in something extraordinary, and you might just have opened a career path for someone.

·         Voluntary placements could be combined with mentoring schemes, so that a student/non-graduate can volunteer his or her help in an organisation, in exchange for mentoring and coaching for that profession. This would work in a similar way to the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Schemes, only we should make sure that it is applied systematically, to every possible candidate, for every possible profession. A Knowledge Transfer Agreement, in effect.

·         Non-graduates who receive a certificate qualification should be automatically registered by the awarding body, onto a recruitment network for that profession. For example, non-graduates with a technology qualification could be registered onto specialised engineering recruiters, to be taken on by them as trainees.

·         Businesses could integrate their recruitment processes with the relevant colleges and universities, so that for example the Business Schools’ graduates are fed directly into major corporations, Law graduates into local government; graduates of artistic professions into teacher training and so on. A special selection process could be agreed on, to encourage recruiters to give their client college or university the first say in candidates.

 

By taking these measures, we can put a series of stepping stones in place, so that a person with an interest in any industry has a direct route into that industry, and can gain all the necessary experience to get there, along the way. Let’s remember that this is young people’s future, and our present. As we adults know, there is nothing worse than looking back with regret at what might have been: you only live once. So by creating an unbroken line between the hobby, the study, the training, and the profession itself, we can ensure that the next generation of professionals get their chance: and that every stepping stone is in place for them to take it.

Launch of the App

About This Forum

For the people who will be visiting these project pages shortly, I thought it best to sum up what this Forum is about. Let's Build Bridges is an open forum, set up for one clear purpose: to create jobs and careers opportunities for young people and for adults. This will be achieved through discussion in 3 key areas.


The first of these is student-Alumni networking. The knowledge transfer between the academic and business sectors is crucial for the development of every industry: and the most effective way to do this is through student-Alumni relations. Students can provide new innovations and ideas to help their Alumni counterparts to develop new products and services for their businesses and professions. In return, the Alumni and other professionals can coach and mentor the students, to prepare them for entry into their chosen profession. It is a two way process, with clear benefits to all.

The second area for discussion is the assessment of non-graduates. People's abilities should be reflected by their grades and qualifications: qualified assessment being the most effective way to ensure this. But given that the average cost of tuition fees in the UK is now £9,000 a year - not including rent, food clothing, and commuter costs - I believe that too many young people are being priced out of an education. There are many 16-24 year olds whose families simply cannot afford this.

Despite the financial assistance that may be available to the lucky ones, there are still a great many young people who deserve higher education, but with only a finite amount of money available to support them. For these 16-24 year olds, and for those who have chosen not to pursue higher education, I believe that qualified assessment should be offered to them as an alternative. This would ensure that the talented non-graduates would still be able to show their potential to employers; and be in a good position to go for further training and qualification. It would also make sure that all young people are given a fair chance at an education.

The third are for discussion is business start ups. As many people have pointed out, it is all very well having skills and qualifications, but people need jobs. And also, there are many adults who need opportunities too. The surest way to address both issues, is through business start-ups. There are many competent people - both in employment, and unemployed - who have ideas and skills to offer. If we can bring them together, and help them start businesses of their own, this will create new jobs, and will allow many people to lend valuable skills in the process.

The aim of all three areas is to create opportunities for everyone. There is of course some overlap between them: qualified assessment can help adults as well as young people; graduates and non-graduates alike can be entrepreneurs; and business people and non-graduates also have innovations to offer. For the time being though, this Forum will focus on the three areas above, as a way to create opportunities. The cross pollination of ideas will be a benefit to young people and adults alike.

The Forum has several pages, including this blog, for articles; a LinkedIn page; and a Facebook page. The other pages are:

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Lets-Build-Bridges-5133737?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419487984829959/

 

These are public pages, and you are welcome to join the Forum's groups on both of them.

As you will see, there are several initiatives now in progress, to cover each of the areas for discussion. You are welcome to contribute to any aspect of this Forum, and I hope that you will find the sharing of our ideas helpful for the development of opportunities for young people and for adults.

 

James M

 

Founder

 

Let's Build Bridges

 

 

The Progress So Far - September 2014

Hi All

Just a quick update on our Forum's progress so far. Marcus is doing an excellent job, designing a new app for entrepreneurs, to help them start new businesses: and create new jobs. This will be a real treat for anyone with ideas for new products and services; non-graduates with skills to offer; and adults who have experience to lend in shaping new businesses. More to follow on this soon.

Today's meeting with Momentum's project manager has also been a real step forward. The 3 aims of this project correspond with the aims of our Forum. I support her efforts to offer students placements and apprenticeships in business; to recognise the skill of members of the workforce - especially non-graduates; and I look very much forward to their  plans for young entrepreneurs. There's a lot that we can do together.

At the same time of course, I would like to see students of all colleges and universities, all non-graduates, and all adults, to benefit from these kind of measures. Perhaps what we are doing now can be used as the prototype for future projects elsewhere.

I hope that it will.

James M

Founder

Not in Education or Training: Why Non-Graduates Deserve More Help

Not forgetting that one of this Forum's purposes, is to discuss the jobs and career opportunities for non-graduates, here's another reason why young people aged 16-24, who are not in full time education, need more help:



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-neet-generation-why-young-britons-have-been-hardest-hit-by-the-economic-downturn-9155640.html

An App For Entrepreneurs

The graduate cross disciplinary network

My development within university and my eventual success in achieving a degree can be attributed in part to my growth into a forward thinking educated individual. A large proportion of my development was down to lecturing and a desire to learn, however a I feel you that the formation of an interconnected, cross disciplinary social and study network created the framework for me to look for solutions and advice that I couldn't achieve as an individual.

The same is essential as you enter the alumni forum. What you know, what they know, what employers want. From personal experience knowing a cross disciplinary group of individuals has presented past job opportunities, CV development from graduate recruitment agents, free marathon training personal training from a highly successful fitness coach. a peer review from a PhD chemical engineer and free legal clarification from a fully qualified lawyer.

The graduate network can collectively keep creating excellent intellectuals well beyond university. Surely two educated heads are better than one in all aspects of a post university career?

Entrepreneurs: Welcome, and Let's Get Started

Hello Entrepreneurs and Business Start-Ups people,

If you are visiting these pages as a result of my recent messages, then welcome. As you can see, this forum is dedicated to discussions for business start-ups, student-Alumni networking, and opportunities for non-graduates, in equal measure. I hope you find it helpful.

If you are interested in the Forum's other discussions, then this article will tell you all you need to know:

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140726162616-66254816-building-bridges-a-project-begins

This forum is here to help students, non-graduates and business start ups, but we need to find a way to help everyone; including your fellow entrepreneurs; young people and adults alike. Many of you are engaged in great projects to start new businesses and enterprise of your own: so here is a challenge for you.

The idea I have hit on, is that we could create a database or app, to include all three. Participating universities and colleges could upload all products and services as yet untested. Non-graduates who have received a qualification by assessment, apprenticeship etc, could be registered on the same database, by agreement with the awarding bodies. Finally, all adults who want to start a new business or play a part in one, can register too: in much the same way as for Staff Bay or Priority Jobs.

This would form a complete Toolkit for entrepreneurs to start new businesses. Anyone wanting to start a business would have direct access to new products and services to put into production; recently qualified non-graduates; and fellow adults with skills to offer. To my knowledge, there is not one app yet devised, to perform all of these functions.

A diagram of this concept is on the Forum's Facebook page. This is how it could work:

https://www.facebook.com/download/565626130231673/Toolkit%20for%20Entrepreneurs.docx

As you can see, the information comes together to give an entrepreneur most of the recourses he or she will need. With the impending redundancies in my region and others, it is important to keep creating jobs, and if we can get people who are out of work, together with the right entrepreneurs, they can start new businesses, and give people jobs.

It will not be easy to make, of course. Creating this kind of database would mean careful negotiating and coordination with all sides. And a further challenge to consider for any new business, is funding.  I think that the application should also have a built in function, to allow access to key investors, in the relevant field of business. For example, social enterprises could be given access, via this application, to key community investment funds, and so on.

Networks like LinkedIn, Priority Jobs or Staff Bay could perhaps be modified to make this Toolkit. I have approached the major internet service providers, but at the time of writing, neither Microsoft nor AOL seem to have this kind of application. I am waiting to hear back from Google and will of course, speak with Apple's staff soon, to find out what they have.

To all major internet service providers reading this article: the concept is like an offer for tender: but the promisor is not me. Your clients will be the hundreds of fellow entrepreneurs who will buy the app you develop. Whichever company does this first is guaranteed a place.in the start up market. But ultimately, it doesn't matter who is able to build this app; as long as it allows an entrepreneur to select both the people to work with and the products/services to use: crucial for the start-up of any new business.

I believe that this Toolkit would offer a win-win solution for all parties using it. Non-graduates would get entry level jobs into their industry of choice; students and Alumni would get to use their innovations; adults would get to lend their expertise and be valued. Everyone would benefit in some way from it.

So here is a new challenge for you, the entrepreneurs: a way to make a big difference for yourselves and for fellow business people. You are invited to join the LinkedIn page, to discuss how we can go about creating this application:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Lets-Build-Bridges-5133737?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

The other project pages are:

Google+ (‘Gorilla Opportunity’ Start-Ups Database)

https://plus.google.com/108660978572646258999/posts

gorilla.opportunity@gmail.com

 

LinkedIn Business Start-Ups Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=7495433&trk=my_groups-tile-grp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419487984829959/

Blog:  http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/
 

Best Regards

James M

Founder

Let's Build Bridges

Fighting Ageism With Opportunity

A valid point has been raised by one member of Let's Build Bridges' groups about ageism: although there are many young people who need opportunities, there is also one group of adults who may be being overlooked. What about opportunities for the adults who are aged 55 and over? This is an important issue. While in my 30's myself, I do agree that with the global forces bearing down on our economies, the over 55's may become marginalised if opportunities are not created for them, as vigorously as for other age groups.

To tackle this issue, I believe that business start ups would be a good way to empower them. This was part of the reasoning behind the start-ups side of our Forum. If people of all ages were invited to form companies, the over 55's years of experience would make them assets to a new business: even taking a leading role. After all, 'Colonel Sanders' Harland founded Kentucky Fried Chicken in his 60's, so there is a precedent for start ups as the answer. Likewise, in many of the societies I know, the over 55's are the organisers: so there is a clear need for their skills.

Also, they could make excellent mentors in the student-Alumni networks. The over 55's experience, and their networks of connections could offer good advice to the students, and allow the mentors themselves to feel valued.  Many of the professors who taught at my university were retired professionals who had come back to impart my knowledge: as had some of the mentors in our student-Alumni network, I notice. This is a trend that we can help be continued.

In these two ways, I believe we can help to create a level playing field, to keep the opportunities going for all adults aged 55 and over: as well as for people of all ages.

I welcome your thoughts on this.

Knowledge Transfer/Welcome

A Project Begins

A story of how this forum came to be, and what I hope to achieve:

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140726162616-66254816-building-bridges-a-project-begins?trk=mp-edit-rr-postshttps://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140726162616-66254816-building-bridges-a-project-begins?trk=mp-edit-rr-posts

Jonathan's Scheme

Hi All
Further to my last message, I have returned a few days ago, and am working on something important to the forum. All will become clear soon. In the meantime, I'll put the Skype meeting on hold for a moment, but please let me know how you'd like to communicate: via messages on this page; personal emails; Skype etc.
And I also hope that you can help Jonathan with some advice on his mentoring scheme. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsallbuildbridges/
Best Regards
James M
Founder

My Message to You

Points for Skype Meeting

What we have on this Forum is a unique combination of volunteers who are both careers and business professionals. This means that we can do a lot for both young people and adults’ opportunities, if we work together to share our ideas. So, ahead of our arrangements for the proposed Skype meeting, here is a summary of what I would like to discuss:

Mentoring-Internships

Firstly to the careers officers who have kindly joined this network. As per my messages so far, I am impressed by what you have told me about your schemes to help the students and non-graduates connect with businesses. These are all very good schemes, and will definitely help to create man good opportunities for the students. But here is my suggestion to you, based on a very good idea from a fellow Alumnus.

Why not combine your existing student mentoring and internship schemes, to make a formal two-way process, in which the mentor coaches the student: and in return, the student works, to help the mentor solve a long term problem/issue in his or her business? This would ensure knowledge transfer both ways, and would be a perfect incentive for both the student and the mentor.

I have been asked: what would be in it from the Alumni/mentor’s point of view? Likewise, I am told that some students are reluctant to engage with mentors, for various reasons. To deal with both challenges, a combined mentoring-internship scheme could motivate the student, by making this assignment a formal part of the course for his/her final year of study. The scheme would also motivate the mentor to give up time away from work, in exchange for one long term problem resolved, and hence one less headache to worry about. As someone in full time work, I’m sure you’d agree with me, that one less headache to worry about makes life a lot easier!

This kind of scheme would give students direct access to contacts in their chosen industry, and allow them to learn the working culture of that organisation. In much the same way as a placement or an apprenticeship, it would give them real experience, working with the mentors, so that even if they were unsuccessful in securing a job, they would have the contacts to help them find one. The mentors/Alumni in turn, would be able to use the students’ knowledge and insight, to improve their businesses and help their professions. This would ensure growth, and lead to job creation in the localities.

As ambitious as this idea may seem, I believe that you, the careers officers, have the connections to arrange this between your students, and the mentors of local businesses, and would like to trial this at one of your universities. If it is made a clear two-way process, then both sides will be more motivated to use it. I therefore put this for your consideration, as a way that could make a real difference to student-Alumni relations.

Non-Graduate Assessment

As I have said before, I believe that the most effective way to help non-graduates, is by assessing and qualifying them, according to their skills and abilities. On the job assessment has certainly helped me gain both a Customer Service, and a Music qualification. It can be a very effective way to help non-graduates, who are already working to a high level of service.

I have not yet heard back from the assessors I was hoping to engage, but this remains an important area of opportunity creation that must not be forgotten. I will continue to push for full assessment of all non-graduates, and hope that you may have some useful ideas about this.

An App for Entrepreneurs

To help business start-ups, an arrangement could be made between the careers officers’ universities, and the businesspeople present, to create a new kind of Toolkit for entrepreneurs.
Student-Alumni networks could upload their innovations to this new app/database. Newly qualified non-graduates, who obtain a certificate qualification could be automatically registered on it, by agreement with the governing bodies of their awards. Adults aged 25+ could register to seek one another out for employment, in much the same way as for recruitment networks, like Priority Jobs.

This would mean that anyone who wanted to start a business would have access, not only to the people he or she needed, but also to new products and services to trial. I have not yet seen a database or app that can do this, but I vote that we try it. Your universities and businesses could be the first.
I am hoping that Priority Jobs may be modified to do this. If not, then perhaps Linkedin could be used, to build a new kind of network. It would be a way for student-Alumni networks; non-graduates; and business start-ups can all help one another.

The Future

Looking forward to the future, I would like to make this forum into a co-operative, self-sustaining operation, in which participants each have a hand in running the proceedings. Opportunity is a universal need, and so I would like to offer this forum as a platform to all who are interested in creating it.

Conclusion

These are the points that I put to you, the careers officers, recruitment professionals, and business people of the various organisations, whose insight has proved invaluable to this Forum so far. Many would ask; why make so much effort to create opportunities, and the answer is simple. Because we can. We in this group have the power to make a real difference to the lives of many young people and adults alike. Every business, university or college ever founded was done so, because someone chose to create an opportunity. And big trees from little acorns grow. I believe that by taking these measures above, we will do just that.
I look forward to discussing this with you.

Festival Networking: A New Resource

As a great many festivals are currently sweeping the UK and indeed the wider world, they offer a lot of networking for young people and for adults, and could be a useful resource for creating new opportunities.

As I had suggested in an article on performing arts networks, the students and Alumni could collaborate both on stage and behind the scenes, to create a lot of good networking opportunities for both:

http://jamesperformingarts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/arts-networks-one-idea.html

The same goes for all professions. If the students/non-graduates and Alumni work together on the organising committees of each festival, and present their work together out front; then a lot of valuable connections can be made.  Granted there are currently showcases that are organised to do just that,  but I say we should take advantage of the connections the festivals offer, and use them as important social networks; for students, for non-graduates, and for adults.

To establish its networking power, each festival could have a social media network set up on Linkedin, for more formal, long term business. Universities and colleges could make formal arrangements with the organisers, to trial their innovations as part of the festivities, depending on the format in question.

And let's not forget, that an ongoing annual event is an unofficial training school for volunteers. I've known volunteer stagehands, who were trained in lighting and sound, who then built up enough experience to apply for stage lighting companies, and others. So again, formal arrangements could be set up, to assess and grade non-graduates, who have done a lot of volunteer work.

With so many festivals out there, we ought to consider their potential as opportunity providers, and use a lot of the existing arrangements, to create new opportunities for jobs, networking, and new careers.

My Recommendations so far

As the plan takes shape

Based on feedback, as well as some useful insights from members of this forum, and my own thoughts on these, here are my recommendations so far:

Student Alumni-Networking

·        Students Internships and mentoring schemes could be combined, to make a formal two-way process, in which the Alumnus/adult mentors and coaches the student; and the student in turn helps the Alumnus by solving a long term issue for their business or within their profession (this can be a module/dissertation of the student’s final year of study).

·        Each school of study could have its own specific network, to connect the students with the Alumni of that profession: while still having a main network, for all students and Alumni of that university/college. This would allow students and Alumni to share detailed information on a subject, in specialised groups, but safely in confidence, and under the supervision of the University/college’s administrators.

·        Innovations developed between students and Alumni could be uploaded to special databases (see below) for trial by start-up businesses.

Assessment of Non-Graduates

The key stages to assess 16-24 year olds not in full time education would be:

·         Recommendation by an Appropriate Adult. A process could be set up, to allow any parent, guardian, teacher, employer, or official, to make a Formal Recommendation on the young person’s behalf, for him/her to be assessed and qualified for a skill.

·         School leavers; 16 year olds and above who are going straight into full time work.

·         Job seekers. As well as the normal courses offered to those seeking employment, a comprehensive assessment could be carried out on non-graduates, to give them the chance to qualify for key grades.

·         Long term unemployed. Statistics show that non-graduates between 16-24 have been hit hardest by the Recession, so full assessment should also be offered to anyone who has been actively looking for employment for more than a year.

·         Registered disabled. Any non-graduates who are prevented from working full time due, to a handicap or disability, should be offered full assessment of their skills, to allow them to adjust fairly, and give them opportunities to find the work they want.

·         Incarcerated or long term detained. All 16-24 year old non-graduates in care, detained, or incarcerated, could be fully assessed as part of their rehabilitation/treatment.

Business Start-Ups for Adults

·        A full Toolkit should be offered, for any adults aged 25+ who want to start a business.
·         In additions to the existing resources and schemes now offered, a comprehensive, all-in-one database could be developed.
·        Innovations from the universities and colleges could be included; and newly assessed non-graduates could be registered on the database as a matter of course.
·        This would allow new entrepreneurs to find not only the people they want to work with (both graduate and non-graduate); but also potential new products and services not yet produced; as inspiration for them.
·        Existing databases like Priority Jobs could be modified to accommodate this.
·         Social media networks such as Linkedin could also be approached, to build this as a new kind of network.
·        The Government could establish a national database, to include student-Alumni innovations, recently assessed and registered non-graduates; and all adults looking to start a business. This would ensure a good model for growth, and opportunities for all.

These are my recommendations for creating opportunities. I hope that you may consider implementing some of these measures, and I welcome your thoughts on them.

James M

Founder