Under those tattoos and piercings are tomorrow's workers.
by Keith Kirkpatrick
On the rare occasion that I go to the mall, I mostly people-watch. I really hate shopping. On one of those visits, I was focusing on the kids. Oh my gosh, look at those tattoos. Seriously, your parents let you leave the house dressed like that! Stop acting like you are so macho and tough while using that kind of foul language. Ouch, you can get that part of your body pierced? In my “shock and awe,” I considered–these are my future employees.
Let's retro back to that age of bell bottoms or ragged jeans, long or spiked hair, foul language or silly remarks and remember “that was us!” Yes, today's kids are no different than the generations past. What we must keep in mind is, they are our future workforce and we need them. They are the same as we were and each of them has to start somewhere. Consider: Where did you get your start? What was your first job?
Graduates program spotlights opportunities
for young high school students.
When employers look at hiring young people, they are concerned. Will this kid work? Will he show up on time? How frustrating will it be to keep repeating instructions? Does she expect more money? Will I be wasting my time trying to teach this person what to do? Lots of questions, right? The answers are yes, no and maybe.
What you must keep reminding yourself is that these young people are key to our long-term economic viability. They need that first, second and third job, opportunity or project. Think about it! Who was your first boss? What was your first great triumph or failure? What did you learn from each experience? Your success today is most likely because of what you learned along the way. For most of us, the lessons in our young careers were the most important.
The Northwest Indiana Youth Employment Council, which is part of the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, has been pondering these many questions for the past few years and we have reached a few conclusions which drive our agenda. We know that young people need work experience, and someone has to offer them the chance to work and learn.
We view it in the simple economic principle of supply and demand. The young people, whom we define as teens through early 20s, are the supply, and the person who needs work done is the demand. Notice that I did not say employer. Any adult who has a task which needs to be completed can offer an opportunity for a young person to engage in work. It may be at a place of employment, but it may be having a garage cleaned out, a room painted, deliveries made, or simply, anything you need done.
You may think these types of tasks to be menial and a young person will not think it worthwhile. If you present it that way, it will be considered to have less value. You should present it as a way to learn and gain experience. You may not realize that they may view it as an opportunity to spend some time with an adult who is interested in them. You don't have to hang around the entire time, but at the start and finish you can teach and show interest.
I believe that young people are hungry for opportunity; they just don't know how to find or capitalize on it. Many do not know how to look, so you may need to help them. Throw out some bait. Mention to friends, relatives, associates that you have a NEED for something to be done and you are looking for a kid to help.
Be prepared! Have your list of projects. Invite the youngster over and have a chat. Tell him or her what you need done, how much you will pay and then ask THE question: Do you want to give it a shot? If you get a “yes,” let that worker of the future give it his or her best shot. Explain your expectations, praise the efforts and reward the results. This is how all of us will help build the capacity of our future workforce. Make a commitment to hire a kid.
