Most scientists and world leaders are of the firm opinion that the era of capitalisation and industrialisation is fading away as the current supply cannot keep up with the ever- increasing demand.
As the population is rising and the natural resources are depleting, it is no longer sufficient for us to simply produce massive quantities of products and materials to suit our everyday needs.
The time has come for us to realise that the only way forward is through innovation and not expansion.
Indeed, it is my firm belief that the ancient Mayan prophecy is quite true: indeed, the world, as we know it, will soon cease to exist.
Many articles, movies and books focus on issues such as climate change, famine in Africa, rising oil prices, tyranny, corruption, blatant breaches of human rights, etc, asking the same question over and over again:
How can we solve those problems?
The answer is quite simple. We solve the above by investing in youth and in those who have the determination, stamina and skill to come up with innovative solutions.
In the United Kingdom, one in four people aged 18- 24 are currently unemployed.
Many uninformed and spiteful observers often say that those 20% are lazy and unwilling to work because they are happy with the benefits that they receive.
I was once one of those 20%. I was not happy with the weekly £ 60 jobseeker’s allowance; in fact, I did not even claim it.
Applying for jobs and getting rejected on a daily basis is immensely disheartening. It affects the applicant on all levels- he grows weaker, both physically and mentally, his initial enthusiasm fades away and turns into bitter despair.
In many cases, he gives up on his dream because he thinks that he is alone and everyone is against him; he convinces himself that he is nothing special and that he will have to settle with any job.
And this is how talents today are obliterated. Very few people have the willpower and determination to continue fighting after having been rejected by over three hundred companies.
The ones who lack those qualities, wither away, forget about their goals and focus on surviving and paying for the roof over their head and the food in their mouth.
But we can change that, we can help young people succeed, fulfil their dreams and save our future.
And here is how we do it, my Big Idea 2013:
Most young people cannot secure their desired position because they have either not obtained the skills required by the employer during their time at university or because they have no connections in their sector, i.e. they have not done enough networking.
This is how we fix those:
Lack of Practical Skills
I suggest that a compulsory fifteen- credit one- term module be introduced in all universities in the United Kingdom.
The module will focus on the skills required by employers in various sectors and will present students with a way of obtaining and developing those through various assignments, pro- bono and volunteering projects.
The module will have to be taught by practitioners rather than academics.
The module will be examined via coursework (20%), an interview (20%) and a case- study/ problem- question- type exam (60%).
The course work will consist of a practical problem question which will have to be tackled by applying the skills obtained throughout the module.
The interview will consist of a rigorous interview process which will include an application form, a telephone interview, an assessment centre, a case study, and an interview with the HR and Managing Partners. Many universities currently offer that but they are doing so on a voluntarily basis and not many people take advantage of it.
The three- hour open- book exam will consist of three case study/ problem question scenarios which the students will have to tackle by applying the skills obtained in their studies. Open- books exams make a lot more sense; in life (and in practice), you will always have your books with you. What you know is not as important as whether you know where to find it.
Lack of Networking
I suggest that universities be compelled to find students a one/ two- week placement with a company in their sector.
That will apply for students who have maintained a 2.1. or a first. Those who maintain a 2.2. will have to apply to the program and be interviewed before being placed in a company.
Companies will be paid two- weeks’ worth of wages for every student by the university.
Prior to anyone saying that the Government should be paying instead of the universities, let me remind you that the tuition fees have increased threefold to the staggering £ 9, 000 per year.
It will cost a university approximately £ 800 per student to do that.
The placement will give students the confidence and practical insight they need and an opportunity to meet up and befriend people working in their desired sector.
The above two proposals are quite realistic and plausible.
It is high time we realised that our present will build our future.
Our present is and always has been personified by our youth.
Ask yourself this:
How are the young supposed to build a better future for us all when they currently lack the skills and materials to do so?
And that is where we come in; they cannot do it alone.
Let us help them out; it might be a Big Idea but it is quite simple.
Right?
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