Making the right career choice?

 Can you still recall that time when you were waiting to find out your exam results and you were thinking about a future career path? From my memory – it was a little while ago – I recall it was a time of apprehension, mixed with stress and fear, along with that bit of excitement of what comes next in life. I do remember the joy at leaving school and the anticipation of starting college but I don’t recall for one minute having my future mapped out and knowing what I actually wanted to do, but I was aware that passing exams was seen as both important and a vital gateway to further education and employment. I can also recall that moment of disclosing my results to my mother – probably the most stressful bit - and waiting for her reaction… so have times changed?

Over the last two weeks, young people across Wiltshire received their results for both GCSE and A-Levels and I have to say I admired the bravery of those who opened those dreaded envelopes live on local radio stations and disclosed to listeners, including me, how they had done. They must have been fairly confident as to disclose that your results weren’t as good as you had anticipated would make breakfast listening somewhat less than upbeat.

Fortunately, this was not the case, for those who went “live” with their results. As it turned out their performance was outstanding and their joy was loud and clear for all to hear. Overall it would appear that Wiltshire’s young people have delivered excellent results reflecting how hard they worked and how good the quality of education is in our schools and colleges – huge congratulations to everyone.

But what’s next for these young people? Some will be looking to enter the job market or perhaps wish to develop their skills further and these days there are a number of options available to them. One thing that I am passionate about is supporting young people to further their careers and to get into the workplace. It’s not a good situation at any age to be out of work and to have no focus for the future. But the reality is some young people need a bit of extra support and advice and a helping hand to help them to get that focus and to find an opportunity that is right for them.

Local businesses and organisations need to see what young people can contribute and to seize on their energy, freshness and potential.  This week we launched a new ‘one stop shop’ website called Work Wiltshire, which is a site to help those who want to enter the job market, develop their skills and advance their careers, or to help those who could be facing the challenge of losing their job. It includes access to self-help information and, for those who are eligible, free support from an employment support worker through Project IMPRESS is also available.  Helping young people is vital and schemes such as Project IMPRESS, apprenticeships and work experience, which at last many local businesses have seen as a great way to employ young people – are helping to keep our local economic in a good place.

Opportunities to learn and develop skills and knowledge that can be used in the workplace are surely the key to having a vibrant and sustainable economy? I always enjoy hearing how some young people can thrive in an apprenticeship and grow to take on more senior roles. The recently opened community campus in Corsham will offer a number of apprenticeships, internships and work experience opportunities to help local people to develop skills and confidence and what’s needed to thrive in work, and I am delighted to have a new apprentice working in my office supporting the cabinet members. Young people are our future and we need them to ensure that we have a sustainable and vibrant local economy.

From the recent exam results it would appear we have some real talent – let’s capture and grow this for the benefit of all of us.

Having given this some thought – If I was to choose an apprenticeship now it would have to be music – as I longed to play guitar in a rock band – and I would question is it ever too late to learn? What would you choose?

For all of you still to have your annual break – enjoy… and, for those of you who have had your break I hope you enjoyed the bank holiday weekend, albeit a very wet Monday! For those of you who were on call and delivering our vital front line services - a huge thank you.

Jane