At Jump Start we believe that the world of new and exciting digital media has meant many of our future leaders have stepped away from developing the vital skill of confident and authentic communication.

Jump Start has also recognised that despite the critical role that confident self-expression plays in the professional world, it is largely absent from the school curriculum across Australia.

In a measure of the seriousness with which this issue is being taken, nearly three-quarters of the business leaders surveyed by Jump Start call on schools across the country to prioritise the development of young people’s attitude and approach to verbal communication.

This would assist students as they prepare for a successful career.

There is no instant solution to this challenge. We know that many schools are working hard to prepare their students for the rigors of life after school and are increasingly responsive to the practical needs of this.

Whilst technical and academic skills are vital, information gathered in recent surveys establishes that equipping our young people with the ability to express themselves confidently and authentically will dramatically transform their career prospects and be extremely beneficial to their well-being.

Business leaders have repeatedly expressed their concern about the lack of high-quality communication skills among their new recruits – even highly qualified graduates.

Verbal communication skills are really the key to a successful business career.

Many organisations now attach a growing importance to face-to-face communication, and consider it to be vital in establishing the relationships that lie at the heart of a successful business.

It is through communication that we make sense of things, build ideas and create value. We feel connected and appreciated. Good communication is central to our effectiveness, our happiness and our wellbeing.

“Competition runs much deeper now; it is global and extremely intense. You need anything that can give you an extra leg-up. Good communication is critical.”

Jump Start can tailor a number of workshop programs designed to help develop these vital skills. These programs introduce participants to the essential skills of confident self-expression and effective listening. It gives students a solid foundation in good communication which they’ll need as they prepare for their future.