Employers are encountering a surprising problem – a lack of essential soft skills in young workers, which is having a negative impact on workforce dynamics and productivity.
Many school and college leavers are under-prepared for the journey from education to the workplace, and in particular for the significant change in approach and behaviour that is expected. Employers sometimes assume young workers understand office etiquette, whether it’s knowing how to communicate with colleagues, manage their time effectively, or handle sensitive topics like office banter. Without opportunities to build these essential skills, young workers can find themselves unprepared and unable to navigate workplace challenges. Knowing what’s acceptable in the workplace and what’s not isn’t part of the educational curriculum, so how do they learn?
Our World of Work training programme enables young workers to adjust perfectly to a professional setting. This fun and interactive session focuses on understanding workplace etiquette and rules, and what can go wrong if they are not followed. Topics covered in the programme include:
Communication
- TTYL, TBH, BRB….acronyms have become a trend among young people. This topic discusses appropriate verbal and written communication and how it’s important to know your audience.
Absence & Timekeeping
- “My dog is ill”, and “I missed the bus”. Some excuses we’ve heard before. Here we examine the importance of arriving on time and the cost of poor attendance.
Office Banter
- What one employee considers to be harmless banter could be inappropriate or offensive for others. We discuss how banter can quickly escalate into bullying and the consequences this can have.
Social Media
- As integral part of our daily lives, it’s essential to recognise the potential repercussions of sharing opinions about work or posting offensive remarks that may amount to harassment or bullying.
Work Social Events
- Unacceptable behaviour on work social events could result in disciplinary action and put the company into disrepute. This topic discusses what is expected when representing the company outside of the workplace.
Employers who invest in this type of training for their less experienced workers will likely see higher retention rates and improved performance with reduced onboarding challenges, greater cohesion and a workforce adaptable to future change. Whether you’re recruiting apprentices, interns, school/college leavers or graduates, our World of Work training programme can be customised to meet your needs and your company’s culture and values. In addition, our e-learning portal is packed with countless CPD-certified courses designed to bridge the soft skills gap. Get in touch at 01942 727200 or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk to discuss how we can support you.