Jermaine Williams, Outlook Youth Writer
SECONDARY AND tertiary graduates face the problem of limited job opportunities today and even as they compete for the diminishing space in the organisation, employers have to contend with human resources entering the system, who are substandard.
The days of the committed, enthusiastic and responsive workforce seem to be behind us.
According to Michael Williams, a lecturer and head of the Accounting Department, the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, and who has worked as a manager in the private sector, there is a reduction in the number of good quality employees in the organisation and this stems from the graduates being recruited. He said that lateness, inappropriate attire and inability to function within teams are some of the areas in which young employees demonstrate serious problems. Mr. Williams said that in discussions with his colleagues in the private sector and his Kiwanis Club, their displeasure with young staff members surfaced. He recalled a situation described by one of his private sector colleagues in which a tertiary graduate, during a job interview, answered his cellphone then asked the interviewer for a minute and exited the room. An inappropriate behaviour such as this only solidifies the point that the workforce is becoming increasingly undesirable.
NOT MENTALLY PREPARED
According to Omar Hendricks, managing director, Grace Foods, Jamaican graduates entering the world of work are not mentally ready to become good employees, although they may be academically qualified. They are not ready mentally, in that, their interpersonal and communication skills are underdeveloped and they do not know how to relate to their superiors. Mr. Minot lamented that these youngsters fail to recognise the distinction between the employer and themselves as the employees. Hence, they seem to think that they should be treated and given the same amenities as a senior manager, for example, who has served for years in the organisation and has earned the respect of the staff.
BASIC SHORTCOMINGS
Other areas of concern include the lack of initiative, responsibility, and morals. Young employees seem to lack the capacity to think beyond the stated work roles, or to become more responsible for their actions and the work they should complete. This, according to Minot is because today's workers are driven by the monetary values of the job.
"Jamaica's young employees are motivated primarily only by the sum of pay they receive in order to keep up with the Joneses," thus, leaving very little space for self-motivation.
TIPS FROM OUTLOOK YOUTH
Although the quality of our workers is cause for concern, major improvements can be made. Outlook Youth's advice, especially with the growing need for summer employments, is to remember your sense of respect, be responsible, take initiative and always maintain your integrity.
Your attire says a lot about you, so it would be smart to research the dress code and dress modestly for the job interview and when you make your formal entry into the workplace.
