Students are woefully underprepared for the full-time jobs they take on once they’ve completed their education. Even for those who choose university, saddling themselves with £36,000 of debt on average,[1] more than half say their degrees don’t prepare them for their chosen industry. Employers, however, say the vast majority of school leavers lack presentation skills, the ability to communicate in a professional environment and commercial awareness.[2]
YourGamePlan is changing the way school students learn about the world of work. Founder Danny Heath said: “There is a lack of emotional intelligence when it comes to careers education. Students need the confidence to apply for jobs, which comes from having an understanding of what they’re applying for. We expect 17 year olds to succeed in a world they have no idea about, without realising how little they know about the wider business landscape and how different industries operate.”
School students need educating on the soft skills needed to succeed, how various industries operate within the economy and what individual roles entail. YourGamePlan’s new learning platform – launching at over 600 schools in the UK within the year – allows students to better understand the environments they’ll soon be working in – and increases their chance of a bright and happy career. YourGamePlan is a free platform for all 15-18 year olds studying at schools and colleges across the UK.
YourGamePlan’s experts have designed a range of courses in partnership with employers to give students an unparalleled insight into the working landscape, helping them realise their ambitions. The courses train students in soft skills such as email writing, office etiquette, interviewing, managing difficult people and conflict in the workplace, how to present themselves, handle criticism, write a CV and many more. Courses will also give an insight into the roles available to them in various industries, such as professional services, and how they fit into the economy. Students can include certificates for the courses they’ve completed on a CV.
YourGamePlan is also pleased to announce the ACCA as a launch partner. The ACCA will sponsor the Introduction to Accountancy Careers course, educating students on the role of accountancy in the economy and what opportunities within the industry entail.
Claire Bennison, head of ACCA UK, says: “We’re proud to be a launch partner of YourGamePlan. Through this partnership, we can help support and inspire younger generations’ career knowledge and progression, whilst promoting the accountancy profession and connecting with students from across the UK. ACCA is focused on providing access free from barriers into the profession.
“Our partnership with YourGamePlan is a fantastic opportunity to provide students across the UK with greater learning support and to prepare them to be the most effective in the working world. Given the growing demands on employability skills by employers, this is an opportunity to enable many of our students to walk confidently into careers. We look forward to collaborating
on a number of initiatives in the future.”
YourGamePlan’s learning platform is entirely free for schools and students. Teachers can track the progress of students through different courses, giving them the ability to incorporate more intuitive careers education into their curriculum. YourGamePlan is launching in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester with plans to reach 350 schools in the first 12 months.
