Britain's Indian-origin minister has called on teenagers to abandon their selfie sticks in favour of acquiring work experience this summer as it would boost chances of getting a foot on the career ladder.
Priti Patel, 43, Minister of State for Employment, said the summer holidays were the perfect time to gain much needed hands-on experience.
"I would encourage all young people to get involved and use their summer holidays to broaden their horizons and help set up the rest of their life," she wrote in an article for 'The Sun'.
"This is the perfect opportunity to step away from the selfie sticks and put down Snapchat and do some work experience. It will boost chances of getting a foot on the career ladder, an apprenticeship or even a job," Patel, the senior-most among all Indian-origin UK ministers, said.
Drawing on her personal life, she said that when she was young, she helped her father, a shopkeeper, as he got up every day at 4 AM to deliver newspapers.
"My father set up his first business in the 1970s so that he could support his family. He got up at 4 AM every day, delivering the morning newspapers while I helped by stuffing the Sunday papers with supplements. Seeing his drive and determination to make his business a success taught me about hard graft and the values of work," she wrote.
Patel, who was promoted to a Cabinet post by British Prime Minister David Cameron after the Conservative party's victory in the general election in May, said employers also have a duty to offer young people work experience.
"The onus, however, is not just on young people. Employers have a huge role to play in helping the young people of today be the business leaders of tomorrow.
"By offering work experience in their organisation, they can help train their future workforce and give young people the skills that will carry them through their life and career. This should be at the heart of every business," she added.
