As my own child enters Year 7 this week, I’m filled with hope, witnessing their enthusiasm to take on the challenges of “big school.” However, when I reflect on the three Year 10 students who recently joined us for work experience at SERT, I notice a stark contrast. These older students, standing on the cusp of adulthood, exhibited a worrying lack of resilience—something echoed in conversations with local headteachers. Resilience, or rather its absence, seems to be a growing concern in our schools, contributing to a sense of disenfranchisement with the curriculum and education in general.
Is this lack of resilience a reflection of societal trends, a post-pandemic legacy, or perhaps a combination of both?
Defining Resilience: What Does Good Look Like?
Resilience is often defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. In an educational context, it’s the ability to handle setbacks—whether that’s a poor grade, a difficult peer relationship, or a stressful exam period. Good resilience looks like a student who, when faced with challenges, can problem-solve, seek help when necessary, and maintain a positive outlook. It’s about grit, perseverance, and the determination to keep going even when things get tough.
But today, resilience is becoming increasingly rare among young people leaving school. The pandemic certainly played a role, disrupting routines, social interactions, and the stability many students rely on. This has left many feeling uncertain, anxious, and less able to cope with the normal pressures of school life, let alone the working world.
The Post-Pandemic Legacy
The legacy of the pandemic goes beyond missed lessons or online schooling struggles. It’s created an environment where young people have, in many cases, been shielded from challenges and real-world problem-solving. With extended periods of isolation and limited opportunities for social interaction, students have missed out on the small, everyday experiences that build resilience—navigating social dynamics, working collaboratively on projects, or even dealing with the disappointment of a school sports defeat.
This lack of exposure has left many school-leavers ill-prepared for the working world. The sense of “disenfranchisement” many heads are reporting is likely tied to this—students struggling to see the relevance of education when they’ve missed out on real-world applications.
The Role of Vocational Training
There is, however, a potential solution: vocational training. By incorporating practical, hands-on learning into the curriculum, we can bridge the gap between school and the working world. Vocational training offers students an opportunity to develop skills that are directly applicable to real-life situations, instilling a sense of purpose and achievement that’s sometimes missing from traditional academic routes.
For students who may not thrive in purely academic environments, vocational courses can provide an alternative path—one that builds confidence and resilience by allowing them to see the tangible results of their efforts. Whether it’s carpentry, electrical work, or IT, vocational training empowers students to develop practical problem-solving skills, work collaboratively in teams, and navigate real-world challenges in a controlled environment.
At SERT, we’ve seen first-hand how even a short stint of work experience can ignite a spark in students who have previously felt disengaged. Vocational training gives them the chance to learn by doing, rather than passively absorbing information, and this can help build the resilience they need to succeed in the workforce.
Coaching, Mentoring, and Resilience Building
Mentorship and coaching are other avenues to build resilience in students. Schools and vocational programmes that incorporate mentoring relationships can offer a safety net for students as they transition into the working world. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and the encouragement needed when students face challenges.
Resilience-building programmes can also help. For example, some schools have introduced workshops that focus on mental toughness, emotional intelligence, and stress management. By giving students the tools to manage failure, disappointment, and uncertainty, these programmes aim to strengthen their resilience.
A Picture of the Future
If we do nothing to address the issue of resilience, we risk creating a generation ill-equipped to handle the demands of the workforce. Employers may face challenges when hiring young people who lack the emotional stamina to cope with feedback, work-related stress, or difficult team dynamics.
However, by embedding vocational training, mentoring, and resilience-building into the curriculum, we can nurture a generation of young people who are not only skilled but mentally prepared for the working world. These students will understand the value of hard work, will be better equipped to handle adversity, and will bring a much-needed sense of purpose and adaptability to the workforce.
Conclusion
Resilience isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, and today’s students are facing unique challenges that can make it harder to develop. But there is hope. By embracing vocational training and providing the right support systems in schools, we can help build resilience in students, preparing them for the realities of work and life beyond the classroom. It’s not just about plugging a gap in skills; it’s about nurturing the whole person and ensuring that today’s young people have the emotional strength and confidence to thrive in whatever path they choose.
The challenge is real, but with the right approach, we can give students the resilience they need to face the future with confidence.