Build a skilled workforce – look beyond exams

With GCSE and A-level results now both published, young people may be feeling the pressure as to what the grades mean in terms of what they do next and their long term future career goals and aspirations.

This year’s cohort of students faced two years of Covid disruption to their education and examiners were asked to be more lenient than in previous years to compensate for this.

But regardless of whether they achieved the grades predicted, performed better or received a lower grade, exam results aren’t the only measure of success.

The pandemic has taught us all significant life lessons – not least that health, happiness and wellbeing are invaluable. The challenges of the last few years have made our young people resilient and adaptable – key qualities that any employer would look for when recruiting.

It’s important to remember that not every job needs formal qualifications and even those that do tend to focus on the most recent or relevant ones.

While today’s teens may be worried that they won’t “make the grade”, in a few years’ time no one will be bothered if they achieved nines or A stars.

As a father of five, I often talk to my children about their career aspirations when they grow up and ask them if they would like to come and work alongside Dad.

Investing in people, building a skilled workforce and offering flexible career paths has been a key component to our continued growth at Castle Green Homes.

We now directly employ 80 people – up 27% over the last 12 months – with an emphasis on bringing in young and enthusiastic people, including those without the formal qualifications expected and who, instead, are given additional support through work and part-time study.

As part of a policy of nurturing young people, we have an extremely flexible approach to staff development and career progression. This includes allowing staff to make career decisions which suit their dreams and aspirations, such as switching discipline and department. Support and training programmes are offered to enable workers to achieve their career goals and reach their full potential.

Seeing members of the team flourish will always be one of the most rewarding parts of my career.