Update for October

Here is a summary of our progress for the month of October.

 

Student Opportunities

For student opportunities, my focus is currently on the new Linkedin group, for Alumni of my University of Birmingham’s Guild Musical Theatre Group. This was a student society I once belonged to, that has now become a very successful part of our university’s Guild of Students. I aim to bring 30 generations of its Alumni into one group, to form a network in support of the performing arts:

https://www.linkedin.com/grp/home?gid=8342825

What makes this group unique, is that the students for this society, came from every school of our University. Many society members studied subjects other than drama: from science, and business; to history and politics. And yet so many of them went on to have successful careers in the performing arts industry: making the case for the performing arts as a profession accessible to all.

That is what I hope to demonstrate to fellow business people, by setting up this group on Linkedin. As university graduates, its members are intelligent, highly organised individuals, who have roles in important arts organisations. Given time and resources, they will be able to co-ordinate a very successful network for the performing arts. And when they do, their work will set an example, which other student-Alumni networks, may choose to follow.

NEETs

For disadvantaged young people, some very interesting insights have been shown to me, regarding digital badging, as a way to help their career opportunities, as discussed on the following page:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7494975

I believe that if a 16-24 year old who is not in education nor training, received a qualification by assessment; then the awarding body could register them on key recruitment databases for that industry. This at least, would flag up talented, but disadvantaged candidates, to recruiters; giving NEET’s more of a chance, against their fully qualified student and apprentice counterparts.

There is one particular borough of London, where I think this kind of system could be used. Their borough council’s youth worker has been very receptive to the concept. However, the representative they have recommended, will be occupied for the next few weeks, and I hope to discuss the idea with them after this time.  

The Gorilla Database

For job creation opportunities: The Gorilla Database has now had over 10,000 views on Google+, making a clear case for its sustainability as a concept, and for further development:

 

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

 

Email: gorilla.opportunity@gmail.com

 

As contacts of mine have found, there are many graduates, whose theses, and PHD’s have not yet been developed into products and services. Likewise, there are always entrepreneurs, who are looking for new ideas. This database aims to put the two together, as an enabler for start ups.

Now there is a clear interest in the concept, we need a working prototype, to prove this the database can work.  One University’s business tutor, whom I have spoken to, has agreed that this database will be considered for their business incubator: on condition that certain things are demonstrated first. A working prototype is one of them.

 

The Blog

Nick Clapp and Howard Court have kindly agreed to become authors for our Forum’s blog. If you too, would like to write and publish articles about young people and adult’s opportunities, then please contact me on the following email, and I will send you the invite, to become a Contributor:

 

Jamesmegarry@hotmail.com

 

Summary

Progress has been made for all areas of opportunity that this Forum seeks to cover. The Gorilla Database; the possible digital badging scheme in London; and the GMTG Linkedin page, are all providing clear examples for job creation, help for disadvantaged young people’s opportunities, and student opportunities. We now need to set up the working prototype for job creation, plan how the London scheme may be put into practice; and build the GMTG group into a full scale network. These steps will take time, effort and planning. But if you know individuals, who may have the insights, resources and ideas for these projects, you are more than welcome to invite them to our Forum.

Best Regards

 

James M

 

Founder