Most employers will tell you that what they look for in a new (junior?) staff member is experience and skills and NOT qualifications. Some qualifications – such as licenses to practice – are useful. But at the end of the day when starting off it is what somebody can do rather than what they know that often counts (put differently, do you know how to drive a car rather than understand the internal working of the combustion engine?).
This raises an important question about the role of (higher) education. There is no doubt that the Finnish education system is excellent – especially at primary and secondary school level. But with double digit unemployment should we continue to promote Higher (rather than Further) education? The jury is out in terms of whether there is a correlation between levels of Higher Education and economic prosperity - in fact, some countries, such as Switzerland, comparative levels of Higher Education are quite low.
“The need to diversify the economy is of paramount importance”And then we need to consider how to re-frame the economy. Companies like Nokia (and Supercell) are the exception not the rule. Their success (and failures) should be celebrated. But can we build a sustainable economy and jobs simply on the idea of technology and start-up? Nokia has shed thousands of jobs and Supercell’s contribution to employment – although welcome – is fairly modest. In fact we must not forget that some high tech companies – for example, Rovio Entertainment – have reduced staff. The point here is very simple: the need to diversify the economy is of paramount importance. And to support this endeavour we need to re-consider what we mean by education and work?
Seuraa blogia jatkossakin, postaamme uuden tekstin viikottain. Until next time!
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