When speaking to youth, you will come to understand that they value quality training and mentorship programs that guide, train and advise. In fact, they look for proficient supervisors and mentors who could teach them the ropes and prepare them for career progression.
Quality training and mentorship programs are anchored on training methodologies, classroom facilities, industry collaborations, ToT programs and experienced mentors. Assistance and support from the private sector is required in these areas to deliver on the promise of quality.
Classrooms and training methodologies
To secure youth engagement, commitment and enthusiasm, the skills training programs have to be real, relevant, responsive and rational. Bygone methodologies of past eras will not hold the interest of youth; as they are looking for authentic classrooms, representing real industry work sites with authentic tasks and appropriate tools. In other words, the training has to reflect the real needs of the world of work; have suitable tools and be the prototype of real work environment.
For this to become a reality, schools and classrooms do not have to be state-of-the-art and elite, but they should ensure quality with competent instructors or trainers with sufficient industry experience. Next, comes the requirement for collaboration with the private sector. This way, instructors will know what the industry needs; where the industry in heading and accordingly, they will be in a position to train students for present and future job requirements.
It would be ideal, if Training of Trainer (ToT) programs for Master Trainers be arranged by the industry in advanced technical facilities or model training institutes. This would enable Master Trainers to gain knowledge and skills on new technologies and new developments, which in turn could be transferred to other trainers and through them to the future generation.
Youth aspirations
The present day youth lack role models and career counsellors who could advise them on the best available career paths. They look for mentors who could not only coach but also help them deal with their feeling of being overwhelmed at the workplace.
They are on the lookout for careers in reputed organizations that offer a safe work environment, decent salaries and professional or occupational recognition.
When it comes to selecting a career path or deciding on the ideal Company to work with, youth tend to formulate their decision based on what they hear from their influencers – parents, peers and friends.
Further, they do not want to be merely a part of an organization; their sense of curiosity to understand systems and processes within an organization is amazing, as they want to be involved in what is happening and desire to be kept abreast with what is going on within their business setup.
They seek this knowledge, because they aspire to be one’s own master some day. No wonder, they are attracted to entrepreneurship, because they feel their quest for ownership could be fulfilled this way.
Trainers and mentors
It is crucial that trainers and mentors start with this prior understanding of the mindset and aspirations of youth. Otherwise, the training and mentorship programs may end up with negative effects.
When we observe companies or organizations that report high success rate in recruiting youth, we discover that they have well designed youth training - mentorship/development programs that captivate the youth. These programs are bundled together in mentoring relationships ensuring necessary industry exposure, so that the trainees can gradually take on challenging assignments that build their resilience, confidence and professionalism.
Basically, the training - mentorship programs should help trainees to develop a sense of security, competence, clarity and identity.
This happens when the trainees are welcomed and accepted within organizations. Studies show, the retention and recruitment rate of trainees increases dramatically when there are sufficient role models and opportunities for them to foster counselling relationships within a safe work environment.
Support from employers
The above indicate that the involvement of employers is required in making the training more industry relevant, fulfilling and purposeful for the trainees.
Funding support is required from employers to train and offer better salary scales for instructors. In addition, positive support is required to attract youth, through appropriate social media campaigns, which guarantee rewarding and satisfying careers to youth after they successfully complete their on-the-job or apprenticeship training period.
There is little doubt that youth are the right fit for an ever expanding technological world, but we have the responsibility to make accessible to them a world class training that will remain with them throughout their lives, transforming them into exemplary citizens, that we could be proud of.
(The writer is an HRD & Business Psychology Practitioner)