Parents and Teachers Urged to Prioritise Soft Skills and Help Young People into Work
An education platform founded by lawyers and educational experts to upskill young people with a range of critical soft skills believes parents and teachers can play a pivotal role in better preparing children for a looming workplace crisis.
By 2025, a third of the UK workforce will be Gen Z but 41% of business leaders believe this generation is largely unprepared for the workforce. [1]
The Junior Lawyers Club, which provides online confidence-building workshops for children aged nine to 18, says that despite this generation being the UK’s most educated, young people often lack key soft skills. Employers have confirmed the claim in recent surveys conducted by Open University[2] and Institute of Student Employers.[3]
The Junior Lawyers Club, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, says parents and teachers need to fully recognise the growing importance of critical thinking, communication, and presentation skills, and instil them in children in the years before entering the workplace.
“Softer skills such as empathy, independent thinking and being able to construct persuasive arguments are vital in the modern workplace – they are skills that technology and AI cannot easily replicate. However, an increasing number of employers are reporting a significant shortfall in these skills among those entering the workforce,” said Susanne Tayfoor, a barrister, university law lecturer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
“Digital transformation and the pandemic have clearly had a seismic impact and young people themselves tell us they desperately want to improve their confidence, communication skills, creativity, and ability to work in a team.
“Schools undoubtedly do their best in preparing young people by providing coaching, mentoring, and encouraging independent thinking – but this is not easy in a large classroom environment. Parents can help build confidence and resilience through celebrating achievements, giving children the autonomy to make decisions and providing positive examples.
“Children need to be encouraged to take responsibility and accountability and this fosters independence. A skilled lawyer can think on their feet, debate, persuade and engage their audience in a high stress environment and at Junior Lawyers Club we teach children these skills.”
Together with a team of legal professionals, trained actors and educational experts, Junior Lawyers Club has supported more a thousand children over the past decade.
Students can join for a single workshop, a block course or can follow a full programme and gain certificates and awards. Junior Lawyers Club is an Approved Activity Provider for the Skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
For more information about Junior Lawyers Club visit www.juniorlawyersclub.co.uk
Ends
[1] Employers report a values and skills mismatch with younger workers | Open University
[1] We need to help Gen Z prepare for work | ISE Insights
[2] Employers report a values and skills mismatch with younger workers | Open University
How Parents can Better Prepare their Children for Adulthood and the World of Work
How to better prepare children for adulthood and the world of work, according to Susanne Tayfoor, barrister and founder of The Junior Lawyers Club
Author: Independent School Parent
Published Date: 20 August 2024
When you think of a barrister, you often imagine someone in a wig and gown, using their powers of rhetoric to persuade a jury. But there are many key transferable skills that a good barrister will use when acting on behalf of another
Words by Susanne Tayfoor, barrister and founder of The Junior Lawyers Club
Some key skills that a barrister uses every day include critical thinking. They need to quickly analyse complex information, question assumptions and conclusions, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. Critical thinking will help children to make informed decisions, think independently, and resist peer pressure.
Lawyers also have to be able to listen carefully, to witnesses, clients, and opponents. Active listening involves not only an awareness of the choice of words, but also of tone, facial expressions and gestures. Active listening will help children with the ability to understand others and engage meaningfully in conversations, as well as the ability to focus on and comprehend instructions in school and when starting out in the world of work.
Empathy is another key skill. It’s crucial for a lawyer to be able to understand all sides of an issue, to anticipate the concerns and demands they may face. This will help them to prepare a case as well as to negotiate a settlement. Empathy is a skill that will enable children to connect with others and form strong social bonds, as well as developing compassion and a greater understanding of issues.
A lawyer’s eye for detail is also important. For example when reading through documents or contracts or laws, to avoid mistakes, and to uncover hidden issues. This is of great benefit to students, especially as I’ve failed a number of university undergraduates for failing to spot a crucial detail in an exam question.
Linked with critical reasoning is the ability to reason ethically. Lawyers often have to navigate complex moral and ethical dilemmas, and a barrister is bound by a strict code of conduct set out by the Bar Standards Board. Ethical reasoning helps children to find their own moral compass, and make fair decisions.
And finally, a lawyer uses effective communication in a range of ways every day. From clearly expressing complex ideas, both in written and spoken form, to using language to suit an audience whether it is a judge or a jury, making sure that they present their points in a clear, logical and persuasive way. These skills are crucial for children to be able to express their thoughts in a way that will keep their audience listening to them.
5 Tips to Better Prepare Children for Adulthood and the World of Work
- Engage children in debates – this helps to develop these transferable skills which are crucial for both academic success and the workplace.
- Encourage them to anticipate who the stakeholders in a debate might be – who might be affected? Then get them to argue the issue from several angles. This develops empathy, by encouraging them to consider the different obstacles and concerns each party might have.
- Give them a debate topic, ask them to put forward two strong justifications, and then to switch to the other side, and put forward two equally strong justifications.
- Mock interview them for a range of job roles, using the skills and interests they currently have, so they learn how to identify their transferable skills.
- Read or watch the news together and when they read a headline on a study conducted, get them to look behind the headline, to ask questions about that study, for example, who commissioned it, how many people took part, and whether it has been peer-reviewed, which will develop their critical thinking skills.
The Junior Lawyers Club is an online community which brings together barristers, professional actors, and educational experts to help young people develop a range of skills including the ability to think under pressure, leadership, teamwork and constructing logical and persuasive arguments.
How to Help Children and Young People Prepare for the Real World
By Penny McCarthy September 5, 2024
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, today’s students need essential life skills that go far beyond academic success. As parents, we can play a pivotal role in helping our children develop a range of skills to prepare them for the challenges of adulthood.
1.Mastering Communication and Public Speaking
Strong communication is key to success in almost every professional and personal context. Whether it’s a job interview, a university presentation, or negotiating in daily life, the ability to express ideas clearly and confidently is essential. Yet, many children struggle with public speaking, whether it’s addressing a crowd or even contributing in smaller groups.
Parents can support their children by encouraging them to speak in various settings—whether it’s engaging in family debates, participating in discussions at school, or speaking up in social circles. Regular exposure to public speaking opportunities helps children overcome anxiety and build the confidence they need to articulate their thoughts effectively.Family vacation packages
Activities like debating teach children to think on their feet, present persuasive arguments, and engage with diverse viewpoints—critical skills bolster leadership potential and enhance personal relationships.
2.Developing Confidence
True confidence is not just about speaking up. It’s about having faith in one’s ability to handle different situations, make decisions, and solve problems. Encouraging children to step outside their comfort zones helps develop this crucial trait.
Parents can foster confidence by motivating their children to try new experiences—whether it’s learning a new hobby, taking on leadership roles, or engaging in discussions on unfamiliar topics. A supportive environment that celebrates effort and offers constructive feedback reinforces self-belief, helping children grow more assured in their abilities.
3.Encouraging Critical and Creative Thinking
Employers increasingly seek candidates who can think critically and solve complex problems creatively. Unfortunately, as children advance in school, much of the focus shifts to exam preparation, leaving little space for developing these essential skills.
Parents can encourage their children to think critically by introducing them to open-ended challenges. Asking them to find innovative solutions to real-world problems or having discussions about current events sharpens their creative and analytical thinking. Debate and discussions around ethical dilemmas also teach children to evaluate different perspectives, weigh evidence, and draw well-reasoned conclusions.
4.Building Resilience and Adaptability
The ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial in a world where change is constant. Resilience is about more than simply being tough—it’s the capacity to reflect on mistakes, learn from them, and adapt to new challenges. When children face obstacles, it’s important not to step in and fix things for them but to guide them through the process of reflection and problem-solving. This way, they develop the tools to overcome challenges independently.
Exposing children to a variety of experiences—whether through travel, extracurricular activities, or volunteering—teaches them how to adapt to different situations, people, and environments. This builds both resilience and emotional intelligence, which are essential for long-term success.
5.Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
In the workplace and personal relationships, emotional intelligence (EQ) is often more important than IQ. EQ includes understanding and managing emotions, empathising with others, and handling interpersonal relationships effectively.
Parents can help children build emotional intelligence by encouraging empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. Role-playing exercises and discussions about navigating social situations can enhance these skills. Emotional intelligence not only boosts professional success but also fosters overall well-being and strong relationships.
Final Thoughts
Preparing our children for the real world requires more than just academic achievement. By focusing on communication, confidence, critical and creative thinking, resilience, and emotional intelligence, we can help them build a solid foundation for success in all areas of life. These skills not only enhance career prospects but also improve their ability to connect with others and face life’s challenges.
Susanne Tayfoor, barrister and founder of The Junior Lawyers Club