Only two percent of teachers think online engagement is the most beneficial way for their students’ to receive employment guidance, preferring face-to-face with employers.

Young people want to engage with employers face-to-face, according to new research by MyKindaCrowd. The findings also reveal that 94 percent of young people need employers to go into to their place of education and run interactive career workshops, with potential job opportunities. In response to this it was announced that MyKindaCrowd who have the largest UK schools network, and Bright Futures who have the largest UK university network, are merging, providing the largest physical network and connection between employers and students. This news also supports The Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan's recent commitment of £5 million of funding to support new, innovative projects. The merger means they will have a larger network and will work with over 4,500 schools and have societies in over 50 university campuses.  They now are able to support employers at every stage in the recruitment process, from attraction to on-boarding. 

​The findings were announced at a high profile event in Westminster where attendees discussed how face-to-face engagement with young people will support employers attracting emerging talent. The survey of 12-25 year olds also found that only 14 percent of young people want to receive employment inspiration and guidance online. The MyKindaCrowd survey found that business has a vital part to play, with over half (55 percent) of young people wanting to receive employment inspiration and guidance face-to-face with employers.

 A separate survey carried out amongst teachers found that two thirds (67 percent) of teachers think face-to-face with employees is the most beneficial way for their students’ to receive employment guidance. Every single one of the teachers who took part in the research want employers to come into their institution and run interactive workshops, and come with potential job opportunities. Initiatives discussed at the Westminster event included the move of career advice to online, the power of face-to-face engagement with students and how it can benefit industry, and the new MyKindaCrowd and Bright Futures student-led-career-societies, which are available free to every school in the UK.

The main research findings were: Over a third (35 percent) of young people are not inspired by their current career guidance. Over half (55 percent) of young people want to receive employment inspiration and guidance face-to-face with companies. Only 14 percent of young people want to receive employment inspiration and guidance online.

Over half of young people think face-to-face meetings supported by on-line communication would be more beneficial for them. 94 percent of young people would like employers to come to their education space and run interactive workshops, give advice or come with potential job opportunities. 40 percent of teachers believe the career inspiration and guidance their students receive is not effective. 

Two thirds (67 percent) of teachers think face-to-face with employees is the most beneficial way for their students’ to receive employment guidance. Only 2 percent of teachers think online engagement is the most beneficial way for their students’ to receive employment guidance. Nearly half (48 percent) of teachers think face-to-face meetings supported by on-line communication would be more beneficial for their students and half think the importance is on who is running the session.

100 percent of teachers surveyed want employers to come into their institution and run interactive workshops, give advice or come with potential job opportunities. Speakers at the event included; Francesca Campalani, Senior Talent Manager, Group HR, Lloyds Banking Group, Eoin Parker, Deputy Director, Pre-Employment and Basic Skills, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, William Akerman, Founder and Managing Director, MyKindaCrowd and Simon Reichwald, Director, Bright Futures, who discussed how MyKindaCrowd and Bright Futures approach to face-to-face engagement is vital for young people and industry.

Speaking at the event Francesca Campalani, Senior Talent Manager, Group HR, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “At Lloyds Banking Group we believe that organisations such as MyKindaCrowd and Bright Futures can empower us to empower students. It is a virtuous cycle, the only one that can produce a long term sustainable return on the investment.”

Dame Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO, Nestle UK, added: “Student-led career-societies in schools are an excellent initiative from MyKindaCrowd, and this model has previously worked successfully in universities to inspire young people into a wide range of career routes and connect them with employers. We are delighted to support this initiative through our existing partnership with MyKindaCrowd, which aims to highlight the exciting career opportunities the food and drink industry can offer young people.”

William Akerman, Founder and Managing Director of MyKindaCrowd, said: “Online careers advice or online employer brand engagement is simply not enough. University, college and school students demand face-to-face employer interactions to understand and aspire to the careers on offer. Future talent want to see first-hand what their signing up to. Which is why I am so thrilled to be launching our school student-led-career-societies. Available to every school in the UK, for free.”

Simon Reichwald, Director of Bright Futures added: “Students are more and more aware of the need to make choices about careers but they are overwhelmed with where & how to start. Directing them to yet another website to read yet more information seems like an easy 'cop out'.What the research and my 20 year’s experience says to me, is that students love meeting 'real people' working in a range of roles, so they hear about what is out there and find out how to pursue the career that inspires them.”