Mindset in youth employability - pilot programme impact
To further our understanding of the employability needs of young people, we conducted a formal research process generously funded by AMA (Newtown) Ltd.
Consulting with local authorities, employability services, colleges and a broad range of employers from across Scotland, the 45-page report identified key challenges including:
Mismatch in Expectations: Young people believe they deserve ‘more’ (e.g. pay or status) than the reality of their skills and experience warrants, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Skills Gap: A significant issue is the gap between the skills young people possess and the skills required by employers, particularly interpersonal skills such as communication, problem-solving, and resilience.
Mental Health: Increasing levels of anxiety and mental health issues are impacting young people's ability to engage with education and employment opportunities. The report notes that the pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to social disengagement and a lack of confidence.
Economic disparities also mean that young people from deprived areas have fewer opportunities to access education and employment, exacerbating inequality.
To address issues and improve the life chances of disadvantaged young people, in 2024 we developed and delivered a pilot of Mindset in Youth Employability to support the key adults in a young person’s employability journey to use ‘growth mindset’ techniques to motivate them and give them strategies to overcome setbacks and anxieties.
South Lanarkshire Council Employability Services participated in the first pilot of the Mindset in Youth Employability programme in early 2024. This case study explores their journey, from identifying initial challenges to implementing solutions learned through the program. The impact on young people is highlighted, along with both quantitative and qualitative outcomes, showcasing how employability staff transformed their approach to supporting youth in their career journeys beyond full-time education.
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"We use the growth mindset... in terms of just thinking about how you're engaging with people, the type of approach and questions you're asking to get to build that relationship, and make those connections and think about how you can improve working practices." Nicole Slavin, Team Lead, South Lanarkshire Employability Services
"I’m able to implement the techniques and strategies that we were trained on and feel they have improved my practice going forward..."
Melissa Sibbald, Vocational Development Worker, South Lanarkshire
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