What are you doing to help the young unemployed?

I have been inspired by the recent posts on LJN such as
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/i-could-live-on-53-a-week-says-iain-duncan-smith

http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/in-the-deep-mid-winter

And more recently I have been unindented with emails and phone calls from young people who are desperate to get a job and learn a trade. I was also chatting to a young lad called Charlie who attends one of our local landscaping colleges near Guildford and he told me that he had spoken to about 15 local companies asking for the opportunity of one or two weeks work experience but hadn’t received one positive response (that is until he contacted me).

I appreciate that in the South East we are relatively blessed with a steady stream of work so I have to question why we are not prepared to give something back?

It saddens me to hear of so many young people who appear keen and really want to get working in our trade and make a life for themselves and not having the opportunities available.

It just so happens that I am reviewing my staffing levels but the biggest challenge I have found is that if I want to employ staff, ideally they should be over 21 but better still 25 for the fleet insurance but however at that age range, these people are either married / have young children and want an unrealistic wage – yet I pay over the London living wage rate plus other benefits.

So I have changed tactics and decided that I would take on a younger worker or two . I have set myself a challenge (announced on Twitter) that if I can get just 12 new local regular grass cutting clients I will reschedule my daily rounds and employ one new employee and train up and will repeat this with every 50 new clients.

So I ask you all, “what are you doing to give something back?” We can all moan about people living on benefits and being work shy but there is a vast pool of people just wanting the chance.

I appreciate that we are not a charity and must be driven to make a profit so why not grow your business and also help someone get their feet on the first rung of the ladder?

If you can’t employ someone then can I be a bit cheeky and ask you to help me find a few new clients around Camberley, Yateley and Ascot for regular lawn mowing so I can.

Just wondering what the 'Daily Mail approach to life' is and what it has to do with the subject of employing youngsters. But anyway, we have always employed a youngster or two - our business is set up that way. Some are brilliant from the start - some never quite 'get it'. Most move on to other careers and from what I know, the early starts and long days of graft set them all up in life. Young blood can breathe new life into the daily routine and with it a bit of fun and satisfaction.
We used to get lads at 16/17, now the schools like to hang on to them for another two years, when two years of work would be far more beneficial to the less academic.

Gary RK said:

As some will know, I took on and put a youngster recently thru the apprenticeship landscaping scheme at our local Hort college. To date I have not been disappointed.

We have also provided work experience for a couple of lads and its here you get to watch and find the good ones. One has gone on to start and run his own landscaping business. I like to think I helped somehow get him on his way.

I see very little difference regardless of age, it more a mental/moral approach that determines who is good.

I strongly believe this industry gets what it deserves, many make no effort to engage and support the youth coming through who are the future. Many people subscribe to the Daily Mail approach to life. Too many worry abouts bits of paper, qualifications etc but need to accept our industry attracts those that are practical/hands on and not necessarily acedemic. These are the backbone of any business.

The easy route is to sit back, ignore the future and complain. I say get off your backsides and give a youngster a start .... And yes it is not easy, but things worth doing often aren't.

Finally, take a look around some of the best in landscaping are not qualified........

Replies

Gareth Wilson April 6, 2013 at 2:39pm

Might seem like I'm moaning but I've had numerous young helpers and a minute percentage are of any use at all. One is young man who got expelled from school and is now an asset to my team ( their were initial problems which I ironed out) and a young girl who came on work experience who left all the other young lads in her shadow!! The rest simply put are useless and more often than not are molly coddled and spoiled by parents or seem to think all they have to do is turn up for a wage!! I would try for someone who is at retiring age who is fit and active!
Graeme @ BGS April 6, 2013 at 2:44pm

I appreciate what you said Gareth and I have had my fair share in the past but once they get over the shock of hard work and early starts they have really enjoyed their work. I try to make the job fun and enjoyable. Yes we work hard but we make it enjoyable. The pay isn't too bad either.
PRO

Gary RK April 6, 2013 at 3:47pm

As some will know, I took on and put a youngster recently thru the apprenticeship landscaping scheme at our local Hort college. To date I have not been disappointed.

We have also provided work experience for a couple of lads and its here you get to watch and find the good ones. One has gone on to start and run his own landscaping business. I like to think I helped somehow get him on his way.

I see very little difference regardless of age, it more a mental/moral approach that determines who is good.

I strongly believe this industry gets what it deserves, many make no effort to engage and support the youth coming through who are the future. Many people subscribe to the Daily Mail approach to life. Too many worry abouts bits of paper, qualifications etc but need to accept our industry attracts those that are practical/hands on and not necessarily acedemic. These are the backbone of any business.

The easy route is to sit back, ignore the future and complain. I say get off your backsides and give a youngster a start .... And yes it is not easy, but things worth doing often aren't.

Finally, take a look around some of the best in landscaping are not qualified........
Bespoke Lawncare April 6, 2013 at 4:21pm

I had enough work to keep my-self going however due to recommendations, people seeing me doing Neighbours lawns asking can you do mine etc I decided to take on a apprentice.
The lad Ashley is 18 never had a job has attended various training courses and applied for 80+ jobs with no luck, he also comes from the roughest local authority estate in a 5 mile radius.
What a good lad, never missed a day yet(He started at the beginning of January)never asks what time are we finishing, tries hard to do whatever jobs I ask.
Down side, once his apprenticeship finishes in 15 months time I need to be turning other around a extra £25k to be able to send him out on his own supply van tools and a proper wage and that is to break even nothing in it for my company.
Graeme @ BGS April 6, 2013 at 6:25pm

Well said Gary and good on you lawn lover.

Having employed probably close to 30 young people you very soon get to spot which are the good ones. As Gary has so correctly stated it is their mental and moral approach rather than previous experience.

My biggest beef with them, is their communication skills, it is either via mobile phone TXT or just grunts and of course their inability to be able to have their trousers hanging on their waist!

However once the ground rules are established and with the right training and encouragement most raise to the challenge and quickly become very productive members of the teams.
Colin Hunt April 6, 2013 at 6:39pm

Just wondering what the 'Daily Mail approach to life' is and what it has to do with the subject of employing youngsters. But anyway, we have always employed a youngster or two - our business is set up that way. Some are brilliant from the start - some never quite 'get it'. Most move on to other careers and from what I know, the early starts and long days of graft set them all up in life. Young blood can breathe new life into the daily routine and with it a bit of fun and satisfaction.
We used to get lads at 16/17, now the schools like to hang on to them for another two years, when two years of work would be far more beneficial to the less academic.

Gary RK said:

As some will know, I took on and put a youngster recently thru the apprenticeship landscaping scheme at our local Hort college. To date I have not been disappointed.

We have also provided work experience for a couple of lads and its here you get to watch and find the good ones. One has gone on to start and run his own landscaping business. I like to think I helped somehow get him on his way.

I see very little difference regardless of age, it more a mental/moral approach that determines who is good.

I strongly believe this industry gets what it deserves, many make no effort to engage and support the youth coming through who are the future. Many people subscribe to the Daily Mail approach to life. Too many worry abouts bits of paper, qualifications etc but need to accept our industry attracts those that are practical/hands on and not necessarily acedemic. These are the backbone of any business.

The easy route is to sit back, ignore the future and complain. I say get off your backsides and give a youngster a start .... And yes it is not easy, but things worth doing often aren't.

Finally, take a look around some of the best in landscaping are not qualified........
PRO

Gary RK April 6, 2013 at 7:29pm

Colin, Slightly T-I-C said.....but.......Daily Mail = Doom, gloom, hyped up stories of how bad everyone/thing is, how bad the youth of today is etc ;-)

http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2013/01/15/before-and-after-photos-show-...
Thermo April 7, 2013 at 7:12pm

i employ two full time lads ive had from school, and another one ive just taken on. the two full timers are now 23 and a credit to themselves and the profession. The new one is a very hard worker. I would always take a younger lad on in the long term. As long as you get the right ones, they are willing to learn and you can mould them to how you want them to represent your company. They can also shift a lot more wheelbarrows!
Graeme @ BGS April 7, 2013 at 7:24pm

May be I should of asked the question, what is holding back the sole trader / two man teams from taking on staff?

I appreciate that for some, lack of existing clients, red tape, happy being a lone worker - the list is endless but if you have the right mind set and drive. taking on a younger worker can as must of us so far has commented can only be of a benefit.

I know that by tweeting my schedules a little and adding just a few more clients I can easily justify the expense of a new trainee without impacting my bottom line.
Thermo April 7, 2013 at 8:07pm

depends on the line of work. I do landscaping rather than maintenance so its a big jump to take on another permananetly for this type of work and keep them fully employed and productive so that they actually earn you money. Its easy to run yourself ragged finding work for everyone and not actually be any better off for it.