MANY of us have teenage memories of a paper round or working in a local shop or cafe.
Those days taught us important lessons in having to get to work on time, being polite and respectful and learning new tasks.
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And the best bit — getting paid.
My first job was walking a neighbour’s dog at weekends, then I worked at an independent electrical goods shop.
Without local firms like those where we get our first work experience, the economy would be on its knees.
Businesses pay taxes, some putting enough into the public purse to fund hospitals and schools outright.
They employ people who in turn pay tax (both on their income and on goods and services they purchase).
And these businesses wouldn’t make a penny if they weren’t stimulating the economy by offering goods and services consumers want.
For millions, jobs are the route out of poverty. Independent body the Social Metrics Commission found securing a full-time salaried job cuts the risk of falling into poverty by 90 per cent.
It’s hard to keep the wolf from the door without employment, but the benefits are not just financial.
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Productive and meaningful employment gives us an opportunity to learn and develop our skills.
It allows us to afford a better standard of living, get to know people we might not otherwise meet, and brings structure and routine which helps mental health and wellbeing.
A job can also give life purpose and meaning.
In January, the think tank Resolution Foundation found that more than a quarter of adults dip into their savings to pay for daily necessities.
A fifth were not confident about their financial position for 2023.
Millions rely on their job to help them stay out of poverty, and to give them opportunities to learn skills and live the life they choose.
By creating jobs, offering training to help fulfil potential and funding public sector jobs by paying taxes, businesses offer an economic and social infrastructure and assist in reducing poverty.
But many of us have bought into the trope that business is bad. It’s not true.
My research into public perception of the business community found “greedy”, “exploitative” and “uncaring” amid the top responses.
But it’s businesses which help people get into work.
The Jobs Foundation, a charity launched this month, aims to ease poverty and unemployment, and to make sure we value the most important part of any company — the people.
Jobs are good. The firms that offer them bring exponential benefit to society.
I am proud to be president of the Jobs Foundation, which will help business leaders do even more to serve their communities.
We are here to help businesses employ and train those from less privileged backgrounds by giving employers an opportunity to share the lessons they have learned — and demonstrate business is a force for good.
After all, a successful society needs successful businesses.
