CHILDREN in one of Britain’s bleakest job spots are getting in some early practice with their CVs – at the age of 10.
Primary school pupils in Wythenshawe have also been having lessons in job interviews and time-keeping.
The 10 and 11-year-olds at Newall Green primary school are learning how to write their CV – which translates roughly as ‘story of my life’– to give them an early edge in the jobs market.
Dozens of Year 6 students have been taking part in mock interviews, confidence-building exercises and writing personal profiles.
Headteacher Sarah Rudd said: “They are young but it’s not too early to start talking about the basics. Schools have a duty to prepare the children for the world of work.
“Wythenshawe has problems with high unemployment. Some of the parents have never worked and some grandparents haven’t worked.
“Apart from doing maths and English with the children, we want to introduce them to the idea of writing a CV and application letter, doing interviews and how they would be expected to act in a workplace.”
The area has some of the poorest wards in England.
Jenny Ward, from education group Hays, which developed the scheme, said the sooner children got real-life experience the better.
She said: “We explain the importance of coming into work and being punctual when you are there. We explain that’s why you need to go to school and be on time. We encourage them to go through their workbook and pick out their achievements.”
The group also does training in secondary schools and lessons for children aged just seven are now being developed.
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I can give them a bit of advice about applying for jobs…
If you do apply and you get an interview where you actually go and sit in front of someone and talk to them please DON’T expect that they will be good mannered enough to bother to write, e-mail or phone you to actually let you know the outcome.
Most really don’t care, and will treat you like scum, simply because they can.
Maybe they could pass on what they've learned to their parents and grandparents (who let's face it could well still be in their 40s) to encourage them to get of their backsides and get jobs.
Next week children we'll have visiting Counsellors in school,to help you with the World of Rejection....
Why don’t they try something radical. Like, teaching the kids how to read and write, do math’s and how to be polite and bright.
I have a feeling that those traits they teach will do more for the kids getting a job in years to come than trying to get a kid to construct a CV! Here is the proposed CV that employers will receive.
Interests: X Box, Blue WKD, Cider, Casual Violence.
Work Experience: Lego construction of houses. Washing hands after finger painting.
Education: None, we spent too much time learning how to write a C.V
Sporting Achievements: None, the school fields were sold off and the teacher doesn’t like competitive sports because the 'fat' kid feels left out because he cant play football, so none of us can play.
Ambitions: To follow in my fathers footsteps and sign on.
Tongue in cheek yes, but I bet this isn’t far from the truth for many!
What???
They are 10 years old
Are we that miserable with our own lives that we are attempting to remove the one bastion of innocence there is left....
Are we that sadistic?
Perhaps it's never too early to start. They should start applying now to increase their chances of getting a job before they leave school. It's a trial, even when you have many years behind you, believe me. I won't comment on the value of academic qualifications, as many young ones may find that demotivating.