Apologies.
I worked hard, got into to a Russell Group Uni and, like most, had to take a minimum wage job when I graduated. That is the reality of it; I'm not deluded to that.
However, contrast IDS's attitude here with that of Gove's - who wants people to aspire to do tougher, more traditional subjects at University, and consequently wants to toughen the education system to prepare them for that. And If you have graduates coming out being quite aggressively told - 'look, you're not above shelf stacking in Poundland'; as if they've done something wrong with aspiring to better - you almost think what is the point of being educated in the first place.
I just see that as a terrible attitude.
(, Sun 17 Feb 2013, 14:24, Share, Reply)
yeah
I see that, but it's just the reality of things at the moment isn't it?
An awful lot of people are entering the labour force with degree's now, and they are really not prepared for the work place. I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who turn up to an interview at the age of 21/22 and it's for their first ever job, barely a paper round to their name.
Gove is, in effect, trying to deal with this at the university end, IDS isn't really focused on that side of things, more on the 'NEET's, it just so happens that a number of graduates are now falling in to this category too.
e2a: I don't think it would be a bad thing if people really thought about higher education a bit more either. What will you get out of it, what will it enable you to do in 3/4 years time that you can't start doing now? Too many people seem to want to go to university because all their peers are.
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JeremyBeadlesHands, Sun 17 Feb 2013, 14:30,
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I don't really know where I stand on it.
I think there's degrees and there's degrees isn't there. I'm sure people high-up who read CVs realise that too. If you've got into a good Uni Of through getting good grades, then why not. But if you've got in to do Football Science at Former Polytechnic University, then maybe you should have a think if it's worth it.
That said, it would be wrong to say 'you can only attend an education institution if you're smart enough' - because there's no denying those from a more privileged background have a better start in that department. Maybe we should follow the German Fachhochschule education system where more vocational courses are entirely separate but equal to more traditional academic subjects like Chemistry, and consequently you come out with a different degree. I guess the danger is that it would create a two tier education system, but I think at least people would be able to find what they're more suited to.
(, Sun 17 Feb 2013, 14:49, Share, Reply)
The problem with disinterest in 'lower' work is not confined to students. Its the reason farmers will use immigrant labour, because even uneducated Brits think they are entitled to the best.
I've known many students who worked their ass off in cheap and dirty jobs. And I know these same students would not like being forced into the same work for free in order to receive benefits.
There's a guy I know of who was an international jetsetter, extremely well-paid, but when his company went bankrupt in the recession and he could find no other work he settled for a low-paid cleaning job at M&S. I think he would also be enraged if the benefits agency placed him into similar work, but as a 'volunteer', in return for benefits.
(, Sun 17 Feb 2013, 19:51, Share, Reply)
Shelf stacking is above geology?
That's not a Gneiss attitude at all
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The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Sun 17 Feb 2013, 15:04,
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