Gareth Southgate criticizes working from home for young people’s careers
Gareth Southgate has expressed concerns about the impact of working from home on young people starting their careers, arguing that it can hinder their professional development, reports BritPanorama.
The former England manager highlighted that issues affecting employees are more challenging to identify in remote environments, advocating for mentor support to help address these challenges. He made these comments during a fact-finding trip to Holland with jobs advocate Alan Milburn, aimed at addressing Britain’s youth inactivity crisis.
Southgate emphasized the value of a support network, akin to what footballers receive, suggesting that businesses should implement similar frameworks to assist employees. “So you’ve got this support network of people that companies, businesses can provide. That’s eminently possible,” he stated.
He further articulated his dislike for remote working, particularly from the perspective of younger individuals, stating, “It’s one of the reasons I hate working from home. It’s great at my age. But if you’re a youngster, you need those, the mentors, the people that are going to look out for you, when all those complicated things that happen to you as a youngster and help explain them.”
Southgate, who has previously featured in a BBC documentary addressing the challenges faced by young people, remarked that labeling youth with conditions such as ADHD or autism should not be a barrier to their potential. He warned that labels can limit aspirations and create lasting stigmas. “I think any label that a youngster gets… as a coach, as a parent you are very conscious of putting a label on a young person because firstly, it can limit what they think’s possibly in their life,” he explained.
The ex-Aston Villa and Crystal Palace player noted that he has encountered many young people with ADHD or autism who thrive when provided with the right environment and support. “You know in great positions – they’ll be very successful people that have autism or ADHD – but have found the right vocation, found the right support at the right time,” he said.
He urged the government to do more to facilitate employment opportunities for youth, noting that approximately one million young people are currently not in education, employment, or training.
Southgate also stressed the importance of “Saturday jobs” in helping young people gain initial work experience, suggesting that “changes in policy” could enhance these opportunities. He pointed to the recent £25 billion National Insurance increase policy by Labour as a barrier to youth employment. He concluded, “If you speak to people that run bars or restaurants, that’s what they would say is inhibiting them from employing young people.”
“They will see risk in having to take on additional costs and not being certain of the outcomes,” he added. “I think again that’s where a mix of changing the mindset of how we look at these things, but also perhaps aided by some changes in policy, could really make a difference.”
The ongoing dialogue around youth employment highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to integrate young workers into the labour market, ensuring they have the support necessary to navigate their early careers. As the UK faces a significant challenge with youth inactivity, the implications of workplace structures and policies will be critical for the future workforce.
