The Future Is Bright: Why Adaptable Young People Will Thrive
Parents should take notice when Alan Milburn, one of the more thoughtful voices in public life, says that Britain has a problem with young people and work. His recently published ‘Young people and work’ Interim Report paints a concerning picture for those hoping to enter the workforce, and it has obvious ramifications for any of us with children who one day hope to build successful and fulfilling careers.
The headline figure of roughly one million young people aged 16 to 24 who are now not in education, employment or training, is the highest number since 2013. More troubling still, the first rung of the career ladder appears to be getting harder to reach. The report notes that six in ten young people who are NEET have never had a job, compared with closer to four in ten twenty years ago.
The graduate market is also under pressure. James Reed, chairman and chief executive of Reed, pointed out on the Today programme this week that they are seeing a sharp fall in graduate roles advertised on Reed.co.uk, from over 180,000 in 2021 to around 50,000 last year. There are many causes. Most notably AI is beginning to reshape entry-level work, especially in white-collar sectors. However, other factors are also at play, as employers face higher labour costs and the economy itself has struggled to create enough high-value jobs in recent years. None of this means young people should be pessimistic, but it does mean they need to be prepared.
I am increasingly convinced that schools need to provide a wider education than simply exam success. At Radnor, we know that education cannot simply be about accumulating qualifications, important though they are. Young people also need confidence, judgement, resilience, curiosity and the ability to communicate well. They need to be able to work with others, solve problems, adapt to change and make good decisions when the answer is not obvious.
So, if the outlook is more competitive, what can young people do to stand out from the crowd?
Develop Strong Humanistic Skills
In a world of AI-empowered tools, the things that make us distinctively human will become more important, not less. Teamwork, leadership, adaptability, communication, empathy and sound judgement are not optional extras but instead central to future success.
Build Evidence, Not Just Claims
It is not enough to say, ‘I am a good communicator’ or ‘I work well in a team.’ Young people need examples. Part-time work, volunteering, internships, projects, debating, sport, drama, music, leadership roles and community service all help to build the evidence that employers increasingly want to see.
Take Initiative Beyond The Course
The strongest candidates are often those who have taken ownership of something. They have started a club, led a project, organised an event, built a portfolio, entered a competition or solved a problem that mattered to them. Initiative shows energy, independence and purpose.
Keep Learning
The workplace will change quickly over the next decade. Young people who can learn independently, pick up new skills and adapt to new tools will have a real advantage. This includes learning how to use AI wisely, but also knowing when to question it, challenge it and think for themselves.
Choose Paths With Both Interest and Aptitude
This is not quite the same as saying ‘follow your dreams’ but rather understand what you enjoy, what you are good at and where the opportunities are likely to be. Employers can quickly tell when applicants have no real interest or aptitude for the work they are applying for.
This is why the wider life of a school matters so much. Academic success opens doors, but character, confidence and experience help young people walk through them. Through our Futures Programme, careers events, leadership opportunities, co-curricular life, debating, enterprise, sport, outdoor learning and our growing work on AI and digital literacy, Radnor aims to help pupils become more than well-qualified. We want them to become capable, adaptable and thoughtful young adults.
The graduates who stand out are not the ones who studied the most, but the ones who can show they have already begun to operate like professionals.
