The Forum of Private Business, which represents IFAs and other small businesses, has warned that the plans to scrap the legal requirement for 14 to 16 year olds to carry out two weeks of work experience will damage the labour force.
The support group noted that the loss of this provision would leave little opportunity for youngsters to experience the world of work and pick up vital skills before leaving school.
Jane Bennett, head of campaigns for the forum, said: “Our training and skills panel research shows our members already believe young people in the UK are largely unprepared for the workplace.”
Referring to business owners who complain about the behaviour and ability of new starters, Miss Bennett said: “Frankly we need more work experience, not less, to help break down these types of immature mindsets and attitudes.”
The plans were also roundly criticised by Tony Cohen, adviser for Sussex-based Nsure Financial Services, who has been a governor for local high school for the past 21 years.
He said: “I think scrapping work experience is a very bad thing. Without it how many kids will ever actually experience any kind of work place interactivity? Its removal means the loss of another link between local businesses and school, links that I thought the government was trying to maintain.”
Mr Cohen’s practice regularly accommodates work experience students and he said the experience had been enormously positive with youngsters staying in touch years after the initial placement.
