Gap year abroad can help nurture skills and improve job prospects

Around 100,000 18 and 19-year-olds will be setting off around the world in search of life-changing experiences this year, which can help provide them with skills to improve their job prospects, according to an expert.

Charlotte Phillips, writing for the lifestyle section of the Daily Telegraph, said that the recent economic downturn has not stopped people from embarking on a gap year abroad.

"What is changing is the importance employers now attach to gap years. Huge competition for graduate jobs combined with ever-improving A-level results mean that would-be employees have to work harder than ever to convince future bosses they'd be an asset to the firm," she added.

Richard Jee, a school-leaver who will travel via Singapore and Hong Kong to Australia, told the newspaper that he is looking to gain new skills and "mature a bit", adding that it will be his first independent, parent-free adventure.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, added that it is essential that gap year students use their time wisely to enhance their CV for later life.

Find out about gap year benefits.

( Last Updated: 2010-04-29 15:20:42)