In some countries in Europe, some children from the age of 11 or 13 go to schools to learn more practical skills that will help them get a job. Other children stay in schools which provide a more general academic education. What should schools do to prepare students for the world of work? Give reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 In some countries in Europe, some children from the age of 11 or 13 go to schools to learn more practical skills that will help them get a job. Other children stay in schools which provide a more general academic education. What should schools do to prepare students for the world of work? Give reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Schools should: 

• Equip learners with the knowledge that they are likely to use in their prospective professions later as adults: this will help them settle down in their occupations quickly 

• Training them in interpersonal skills is also an important aspect 

Contra view 

• Schools must continue what they are doing: equipping young learners with the knowledge about a broader range of subjects, which can help them augment their level of intellect needed to work successfully in professional realms. 

Formal tuition forms a critical part of the formative years of young ones, and lays the foundation for professional life. This aspect provokes several lobbies to enumerate a list of tasks that these institutions must negotiate and execute to equip young learners with skills needed in their prospective occupations. 

To start with, the paradigm/continental shift being observed in the contemporary era is astounding. Now, the employment giving organisations, in an attempt to cut down their cost of operations, have started preferring people who are already in possession of knowledge required to handle duties at job effectively. This expectation makes it imperative for the schools to don the mantle of preparing young learners for such an important task, so that youngsters do not have to struggle to train themselves in the skills they are likely to use in their professional assignments after graduating from formal tuition, and can also get time to polish their knowledge and capabilities. 

Moreover, another critical responsibility schools must take is to train young learners in interpersonal skills by organising workshops, programs, and so on. It is commonly believed that most young graduates find it extremely hard to adapt to the work environment effectively, due to lacking in knowhow of how to efficiently communicate, coordinate with their co-workers, and how to respond to challenges faced by the organisation, as a part of a team. Numerous commentators suggest that if such capabilities and traits could be fostered right from the young age, the learners would be able to become well-versed in this pivotal skill. 

Overall, schools taking up the initiative of inculcating qualities, abilities and the knowledge considered extremely essential for an effective engagement in the professional realm, is a positive step forward. In my perspective this would make schooling more meaningful.