Can the young ones work it out?

Just a glance at this can furnish a prospective employer with enough information to offer an interview or not.

All this is well and good if the applicant actually has anything to put on a CV and those in previous employment probably will.

However it would prove virtually impossible for a school leaver.

Until now.

This summer a group of 15 pre-16s from Smithills School embarked on two weeks of work experience with Bolton businesses.

The aim was to introduce the pupils the world of work but, and perhaps more importantly, to demonstrate to them the importance of social skills in the workplace.

Work Experience Manager for Bolton Schools, Linda Tonge says: "The aim is to help pupils' future job prospects and also enhance the value of the placement for them and the employer.

"Nationally there seems to be a mismatch between the perceptions of young people, about what they must demonstrate to potential employers, and the attributes which employers are actually looking for."

In a recent report commissioned by The Prince's Trust, a survey had been completed by various employers around the country asking them to prioritise what makes an employee most attractive.

"The findings were very interesting," says Linda, "with six key social skills and attitudes coming out tops."

The skills employers said they wanted were communications, Information Technology, working as a team, application of numbers, problem solving and ability to improve their own learning and performance. Admittedly these requirements may appear basic and the attitudes requested are equally regarded as 'every-day' common practices - enthusiasm, honesty, commitment, positive attitude, flexibility and a willingness to work. However, Linda points out: "When speaking with employers taking part in the scheme, these are issues that continually crop up.

"Many have highlighted poor communication, poor literacy and lack of enthusiasm among work experience pupils. Bad attitudes are also part of the problem with one employer reporting that a student refused to make the occasional tea or coffee."

While Linda, who's based at Bolton and Bury Chamber in Institute Street, is keen to point out this lack of skills doesn't run across the board, she believes the problem may stem from various social factors.

"The break down of the family unit for instance," she says, "and the fact that many parents have been in long-term unemployment -which these days can be second or third generation unemployed.

"Clearly if a child doesn't see a parent getting up and going to work each day, it's possible the work ethos isn't firmly instilled. I hasten to add this may be no one's fault in particular but sadly a sign of the times."

Linda adds: "Bolton and Bury Chamber's role is to help ensure the attributes and skills we instill in our young people are relevant to the needs of the modern workplace.

"By working together with local employers and the education system we can tackle the attributes gaps identified by the Princes Trust report.

"We recognise that our local, young people are the workforce of the future and therefore offer a number of initiatives - including teacher placements and mock interviews.

"All these are designed to equip school leavers with a range of practical skills which will help them in finding work and providing local businesses with a wide choice of well-trained, enthusiastic youngsters who can make a real contribution to their business."

Emma Greeley, from Johnson's Fold, is a pupil at Smithills School and did two weeks work experience at Timpson Shoe Shop in Bolton.

Fifteen-year-old Emma impressed her bosses so much, they offered her a permanent Saturday job.

"I can only start in December because I'm not 16 until then," she says.

Emma clearly found her two weeks work provided her with valuable experience.

"I found the whole thing extremely useful," she says, "especially communication skills.

"When I started I was nervous about talking to customers - well, anyone I didn't know really.

"But by the end of the two weeks I found I could talk to anybody.

"It's a great scheme and is a perfect way of introducing young people to the workplace.

"I probably wouldn't have got my Saturday jobs without it."

Pat Dickson, of St Andrew's Travel is a staunch supporter of the work experience scheme and agrees on the importance of the key skills highlighted by the report.

"Enthusiasm is a must," she says, "that and a will to work.

"Flexibility is also tremendously important. For example, we like all our staff at St Andrew's Travel to be able to work in each department.

"This allows staff to experience every aspect of the business and is also invaluable if someone is off sick - another member of staff will be familiar with their duties."

Pat, who owns the successful and long-established travel agent with her husband, Andrew, also pointed out the importance of installing a 'team work' ethic into work experience students.

And she's equally keen to point out this is something she feels is done well in schools.

"The Young Enterprise scheme was also a good example of this," she says.

"For a student, work experience is certainly a way of familiarising themselves with the workplace."

Natalie Green, 15, and a pupil at St James' School in Farnworth was spending a week at St Andrew's Travel and says the experience has re-affirmed her eagerness to work in the travel industry.

Pat says: "For the employer the benefits are many. Not only is it a perfect way of keeping in touch with the community, but it provides us with possible future employees.

"And that can only be a good thing."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.