YOUNG people are up against prejudice, the principal of a Basingstoke college told an audience of business people during a lively debate on preparation for the world of work.

Stephen Sheedy, principal of Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke and chairman of Basingstoke Consortium, was taking part in Bridging the Business Skills Gap for Young People, a Question Time-style event at Hampshire Court Hotel.

The event was also the launch pad for the Skillstree initiative – a new programme of activity for young people and businesses across Basingstoke and Deane.

It has been set up by Basingstoke Consortium which is an education charity celebrating its 25th anniversary in helping young people prepare for work.

Mr Sheedy told the audience: “Young people are getting very mixed messages from adults about their value and worth.

“Deep in the English psyche, adults don’t seem to like young people and they need to open their minds to the skillset of these young people and encourage and motivate them. With encouragement they can be innovative – they have enormous communication power through social networking and this energy needs to be channelled into a work environment.”

He said education needed to be redefined. Chairing the panel answering questions from the audience, which was drawn from the worlds of business, education and community groups, was the managing director of Aorta Sales, John Bycroft.

The panel consisted of Mr Sheedy, Chris Dodson, chairman of the IoD South Region, Mark Foster, who recently retired as head of global consulting at Accenture, Stella McKnight, head of employer engagement at the University of Winchester, and John Copley, vice-chairman of the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership.

During the debate Mr Foster, said a clearer long-term strategy was needed from the Government to help businesses and education work sustainably together.

Mr Dodson agreed. He said: “There is a massive appetite from businesses to be involved in working with the education sector, but they need help in creating that link and help in defining the programmes that young people should follow to ensure employability.”

Mrs McKnight noted that well-rounded and motivated individuals were of more value to businesses.

She said: “The soft skills needed by young people today include communication, motivation, self-confidence, social and analytical skills as well as opportunities for innovation. Young people aren’t aliens, they just need confidence in themselves.”

Businesses needed to offer more work experience, was Mr Copley’s view.

He said: “Skills shortages are a major hurdle for businesses to overcome and so we need to break down the barriers through engagement and giving opportunities to be exposed to the world of work. Motivation and hope are crucial for the workforce of the future.”

The question and answer session concluded with Sue Riley, chief executive of Basingstoke Consortium, launching Skillstree.

She said: “The Skillstree initiative includes a new employer forum designed to give businesses a voice in helping to shape the workforce of the future and a schedule of conferences, workshops, work experience, business mentoring and coaching for young people.”