Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. transition (n.) [tran-zish-uhn, -sish-] – moving from one stage to another
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. transition (n.) [tran-zish-uhn, -sish-] – moving from one stage to another
Example: With proper guidance, children can have
healthy transition from childhood to
adulthood.
2. entry-level job
(n.) [en-tree-lev-uhl job] – a job suited for new
graduates or people without previous job experience
Example: I applied for an entry-level job after graduating from
college.
3. face (v.) [feys] – to have something bad or unpleasant as a problem or possibility
Example: He faces a difficult decision of leaving
the country and his family so he can work in Canada.
4. mentor (n.) [men-tawr, -ter] – teacher
Example: The student’s mentor inspired him to do better on his academics.
5. dilemma (n.) [dih-lem-uh] – a problem, usually in which someone has to choose from two undesirable
options
Example: A lot of new graduates
experience the dilemma of finding a
good job.
Article
Read the text below.
The British
non-profit organization, Work Foundation, reports 450,000 Neets have a hard
time getting a job because they lack the social skills needed for employment.
Almost a million 16 to 24 year olds who are not in education, employment and
training are classified as the growing number of NEETs.
The report entitled
‘Lost in Transition’ reveals that entry-level jobs are now more likely
to be in the service sector rather than manufacturing. In order to qualify
for such jobs, the youth needs communication
skills, teamwork skills and the ability to deal with customers.
Neets are faced with a problem of not having
these required skills that are oftentimes learned on the job itself. Chief
Executive Shaks Gosh of the Private Equity Foundation believes that one should
have a stable job by the age of 24 or will most likely stay unemployed.
The increase in the
number of Neets indicates a change in the labor market in the past decade and
caused a mismatch between available jobs and the skills of the unemployed
youth. Dr. Paul Sissons, the author of the research suggests that young people
should have good mentors, business
connections and work experience to increase their chances of getting hired.
To deal with this dilemma on an international level, a Skills Strategy was started by the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The group
recommends that there should be a close relationship between the employers
and the school so that students will be better prepared for their jobs.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
How can the government help young people like Neets
get the necessary skills for work?
·
Do schools in your country prepare students
enough for their careers? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
In your opinion, how can we reduce the number
of unemployed young people?
Do
young people in your country also experience the same problem? How is it
affecting your country?