The Walled Garden: Navigating Post-COVID Opportunities for Young People

The COVID-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on almost all aspects of life, but its impact on education and future opportunities for youth has been particularly profound. As a parent, witnessing my son's journey through these turbulent times has provided a unique perspective on the struggles faced by young people today. From the disruption of traditional education to the challenges of finding meaningful work experience and career opportunities, the path forward is fraught with obstacles but also paved with resilience and adaptability.

The Disruption of Traditional Education

When schools closed their doors in March 2020, students were thrust into the uncharted territory of remote learning. My son, Gabe, in the midst of preparing for his GCSEs, suddenly found himself grappling with online lessons (when they worked) and digital assignments. The absence of direct interaction with teachers and peers made learning a solitary and often confusing task. Concepts that might have been easily grasped in a lively classroom became opaque and frustrating. Some schools handled the situation well, adapting quickly and having excellent systems in place and maintaining a solid classroom structure for all, sadly this was not the case across all schools, including my son’s.

The psychological toll of this isolation was significant - we’ll be unpicking the societal impacts of the hundreds of hours of vital psychosocial development lost to lockdowns and social distancing for decades to come. The camaraderie of shared experiences, whether chatting about a good lesson or moaning about a tough exam, was sorely missed. The uncertainty surrounding exams, with traditional GCSEs replaced by teacher-assessed grades, only added to the stress. Many students, including my son, began to question the fairness of the education system and whether their efforts were truly being recognised.

The Missed Milestone of Work Experience

One of the most significant losses for my son and his peers was the opportunity to engage in work experience. This rite of passage, typically undertaken in Year 10 or 11, provides invaluable insights into the working world, helping students to forge career aspirations and gain practical skills. The pandemic and lockdown happened just as his work placement had been confirmed at one of the top creative agencies in Manchester. The disruption meant that it never happened, Gabe and many other students missed out on this crucial developmental step.

Work experience not only offers a taste of professional life but also encourages independence and responsibility. The absence of this experience left a void, with many young people feeling unprepared for the next steps in their educational or vocational journeys.

While work experience does now seem to be happening again, which is great, it doesn't make up for those who missed out during the critical period of the pandemic. And there is a perception that opportunities are fewer and harder to come by than they were pre-pandemic.

The Sutton Trust’s Access to the Workplace Impact Brief discusses some of the above issues: https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Access-to-the-Workplace-Impact-Brief.pdf

Re-entering the Classroom: The Need for Psychological Support

As schools began to reopen, the return to the classroom was a moment of relief but also a source of anxiety for many students. After months of isolation and remote learning, the transition back to in-person education was challenging. The psychological impact of the pandemic, including increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, was evident among students.

In my opinion, to support this transition, students should have been offered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as part of their re-entry process. CBT is a highly effective therapeutic approach that helps individuals manage their thoughts and emotions, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. Integrating CBT into the school environment could have provided students with the tools they needed to navigate the complex emotions and challenges they faced.

Providing access to CBT would have addressed several key areas:

• Managing Anxiety: The uncertainty and disruption caused by the pandemic led to heightened anxiety levels. CBT could have helped students manage their anxiety by teaching them techniques to challenge negative thoughts and focus on the present moment.
• Building Resilience: CBT focuses on developing resilience by encouraging positive thinking and problem-solving skills. This would have been invaluable for students adjusting to new routines and expectations.
• Improving Focus and Concentration: The shift from remote to in-person learning required students to readjust their focus and concentration. CBT strategies could have helped them develop better study habits and time management skills.
• Enhancing Social Skills: After prolonged isolation, many students struggled with social interactions. CBT could have provided guidance on rebuilding social connections and improving communication skills.
• Managing Exam Stress: The pressure of exams can be overwhelming, particularly after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. CBT can equip students with strategies to manage exam-related stress, such as relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, and effective revision practices. These tools can help students approach exams with greater confidence and reduced anxiety.

Given the wide-ranging benefits of CBT, I firmly believe it would be incredibly beneficial to offer all children access to regular CBT sessions. Providing this support can help students develop the emotional and mental resilience they need to succeed both academically and personally.

I am not alone in this thinking. Here are a couple of links to some articles:

• https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-school/
• https://www.cypnow.co.uk/analysis/article/review-backs-cbt-use-in-schools

• https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/33806240/FULL_TEXT.PDF

Navigating the Future: University and Alternatives

We were really pleased that Gabe got the GCSEs required to get into his chosen Engineering course, but he struggled to settle and didn’t find it as enjoyable as he’d hoped. He completed (and passed) the first year and decided to rethink his path.

Fast forward another two years and Gabe is preparing for his end of course show, having completed his course in Graphic Design. A course he has thrived in.

After his three years of college, it became clear that university wasn't the right path for him—at least not immediately. The damage inflicted by the pandemic on his view of education has put thoughts of university on hold for a year or two. Instead, he is eager to explore a creative apprenticeship that will allow him to gain hands-on experience in the field of graphic design.

Finding such opportunities, however, has proven challenging. There are very few graphic design apprenticeships available, and the search has been a bit disheartening. Not only does it feel to him like there are fewer internship opportunities available, there’s also a perceived trend towards companies requiring experience to be considered for even entry-level opportunities. These trends combine to create a kind of walled garden effect, where anyone who isn’t already working in the industry will struggle to gain the experience needed to enter it, potentially depriving talented newcomers of an opportunity to take their first steps into a rewarding career and depriving the sector of a wealth of untapped talent.

A Parent's Pride

As a parent, my pride in my son's achievements is immeasurable. His ability to adapt, persevere, and ultimately find his true calling in graphic design is a testament to his character and determination. Despite the challenges and disruptions, he has emerged stronger, more focused, and ready to embrace the future with confidence. This journey has not just been about academic success but about personal growth and self-discovery—an invaluable lesson for life.

Looking forward, it is crucial that we support young people in navigating these uncertain times. This means advocating for more opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, and alternative pathways to career success. It means recognising and addressing the psychological toll of the pandemic on their mental health and well-being. Most importantly, it means fostering an environment where resilience and adaptability are celebrated, and where every young person has the chance to thrive.

The journey through these challenging times will be a defining chapter in the lives of this generation. By supporting them and providing the opportunities they need to succeed, we can help them turn these challenges into stepping stones towards a brighter future.

The Broader Landscape of Youth Opportunities

My son's experience is far from unique. Across the country, countless young people are grappling with similar challenges. The traditional pathways to career success have been disrupted, and the opportunities that once seemed readily available are now scarce. This generation is being asked to navigate an uncertain landscape, often without the support and structure that previous generations took for granted.

Recent studies by Nuffield Health show the impact of the COVID disruption is likely to continue into the 2030s. It is the first study to analyse how school closures during the pandemic have disrupted children’s socio-emotional and cognitive skills and predict how these will impact future exam prospects and later life outcomes. It’s pretty scary reading, to be honest.

You can read more about the report here: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/gcse-results-will-suffer-well-into-2030s-due-to-covid-study/

Supporting the Next Generation: Internships at Creative Spark

Recognising the challenges faced by young people in finding meaningful work experience or that vital first rung on the ladder, I have initiated an Internship Programme at Creative Spark . This programme is designed to provide young people with paid experience and a valuable foot in the door to the design world. By offering these internships, we aim to help them start their careers on a strong foundation, equipped with practical skills and professional connections.

The Internship Programme at Creative Spark is more than just a learning opportunity; it’s a stepping stone towards a successful career in graphic design. We are committed to providing a supportive environment where interns can develop their talents, gain hands-on experience, and learn from industry professionals. This initiative reflects our belief in the potential of the next generation and our dedication to nurturing their growth and success.

I would love to hear about other internship opportunities at agencies across the North West. Whilst it would be easy to arrange a place for Gabe here, it would be better to build a network of agencies that are helping change the future for young designers. Not only would this be an amazing resource for Gabe and people like him to forge his own path, but imagine how great a tool this would be for agencies to nurture and develop home-grown talent and for college teachers - giving them the knowledge of where their students could apply, and what they could do to help prepare them for the application process.