Young Talent and Sales - The Ever Growing Gap

LONDON, October 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

*National Sales Awards sponsor, Silent Edge investigates*

*Visit http://www.nationalsalesawards.com to book your place*

National Sales Awards sponsor Silent Edge has created a whitepaper to investigate the issue of recruiting young talent in sales. Working with 200 organisations, Silent Edge has explored the reasons behind the gap between rising youth unemployment and the businesses struggling to fill positions.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131031/649173 )

The research highlights that only 44% of respondents currently employ 18-24 year olds, with just 32% of companies taking advantage of government apprenticeship funding. These low youth employment figures were found to exist despite the fact that 49% of businesses are focussing on recruiting young sales talent and a large proportion of respondents advised that the recruitment of young people is a key area of focus - especially in sales.

Russell Ward, CEO Silent Edge, said: "The youth unemployment issue is a growing problem and yet many companies in the sales industry are still struggling to find the right young talent. Our research has enabled us to uncover many of the reasons for this disconnection and explore ways in which we can get more young talent into sales."

The white paper identifies the significant trend of a low intake of younger workers, despite recent government efforts to give more young people a chance of finding employment by promoting apprenticeship schemes and incentivising companies.

Holly Cullis, Head of Business Development for the Academy of Sales, said: "Initiatives such as the Academy of Sales have already shown that providing young people with the opportunity to gain experience in the sales sector provides both a fresh crop of talent and a new pathway into the working world for the younger generation."

The white paper discusses many reasons for the gap between young talent and the business world, with suggestions for the disconnection ranging from the stigma of working in the sales industry, assessing candidates initially to make sure they are the right fit and the high turnover rates for businesses recruiting young talent.

The full paper addresses key aspects of getting young talent into sales, exploring a variety of ways that the gap between unemployed youth and prospective employers can be closed, offering ideas, solutions, and recommendations for businesses to consider.

To download your free copy visit - http://www.silentedge.co.uk/resources/young-talent-sales-disconnect/

For more information on the National Sales Awards visit http://www.nationalsalesawards.com

Notes to editors:

About The National Sales Awards

Open to individuals, teams and organisations from all sectors across the UK, the National Sales Awards in partnership with Huthwaite International, recognise the UK's leading sales professionals with a focus on ethical, smart and professional selling. Now in its 16th year, the National Sales Awards is the UK's leading awards programme for the sales industry and is owned and organised by UBM Awards & Partnerships.  Visit http://www.nationalsalesawards.com for further information.

For further information or interview opportunities contact:

Rachel Branigan
PR Manager
UBM Awards & Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com