Young people in the Isle of Man are set to be better equipped for the workplace after Manx charity Junior Achievement re-launched its ‘Learn to Earn’ programme thanks to a three-year sponsorship from the Chatha family.

Learn to Earn helps students develop the essential soft skills required by employers and more than 900 students at Year 9 will benefit from this one-day workshop.

Junior Achievement’s chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘We’re very grateful to the Chatha family for their support and for recognising the importance of giving young people the best start possible for when they enter the increasingly competitive jobs market.

‘Young people are finding it hard to get jobs. A 2014 workforce survey by the British Chamber of Commerce revealed that 88 per cent of firms polled “believe school leavers are not prepared for work”, with 54 per cent citing a lack of soft skills. Learn to Earn will go a long way towards addressing this.

‘The workshop is delivered by a team of volunteers from business who go into the schools to work alongside the teacher in the classroom and Learn to Earn complements the work Junior Achievement is doing to create positive links between employers and schools.’

Raj Chatha said: ‘We share Junior Achievement’s commitment to support the local community and are pleased to be associated with this Manx charity’s excellent work. This is all about equipping young people with the skills and character to contribute and make the best of their futures.’

To find how more about how you can support the work of Junior Achievement visit www.jaiom.im  or call 666266.

Photo - Junior Achievement volunteer Brian Hewett delivering the Learn to Earn programme with Ballakermeen High School students Blayne Hill and Cerys Taylor, both 13. Picture Andrew Barton.