What are they thinking?
The latest Manpower Group Talent Shortage Survey comments that the global employability crisis persists: skilled trades workers have topped the ‘most in demand’ list for four of the last five years, and at the same time, ‘education systems around the world are emphasizing four year university educations, while allowing vocational technical programs to decline.’
Engineers, technicians and skilled trades people appear in the top five areas of shortages in developed countries including NZ, Australia, USA, Japan, and Brazil.
While I read this report I am listening to our Minister of Education attempting to justify reduction in staffing for technology areas at Intermediate age. The connection between skill shortages and educational policy defeats this government, possibly because they don’t see the deeper picture of how careers work with young people.
Our potential skilled trades people start growing their aspirations at age 11 or 12. This happens when they are exposed to classes where they can see that they have strengths and competence. “I can do this. Other people good at other things but I am good at this.” The realisation leads to the growth of ‘possible selves’ – the idea “ I could be a builder, maybe I could very good at this in the future.’ It’s not a career decision, it a ‘possible self’. Building a future aspiration at this age is essential for the confidence that they can contribute later – particularly for those young people who have no role models of this in their lives. A sense of competence is key in developing self- belief and a critical forerunner of later career confidence – the desire to try something harder, believing that they can succeed. We should be throwing teachers and money at technology areas to expose more practical young people to an environment where they can see future possibilities for themselves.
Many of our young people are at risk in the 16-18 time (the NEET group) because they haven’t developed aspirations or the sense that they could be good at something useful. (Research tells us young people want to be useful. ) Social agencies spend huge amounts of funding to try to rebuild self- belief and encourage this group to contribute and learn. Trades Academies in Schools are also doing this, but the early years are critical. Trades and workshop skills should be valued and built up through the Year 7-13 system. Not reduced.
The shortage will again prompt discussion about careers teachers failing to promote these career choices- and this has already begun. It is a misguided discussion – it is much bigger responsibility than theirs and starts much younger.