Instilling ambition; why do some people get on while their equally able neighbours don’t?
Peter Gibson MP
Member of Parliament for Darlington
We believe that everyone in our country, whoever they are and wherever they are from, is entitled to an equal chance in life. This chance starts by not allowing yourself to be constrained by your immediate environment and instead, seizing the opportunities that come your way.
Opportunities are big exciting shiny life changing things. They can also be scary, and risky, and require courage and motivation and ambition. They are rarely the safest and most secure choices, but the rewards to the individual and society can be immense. They often require hard work, dedication and the rewards are rarely instantaneous. In a society where fame and fortune may be gained for a tiny handful of people who can belt out a good tune on a Saturday night on a TV talent show, putting in the hard yards can be a difficult sell.
Growing up in a family where everyone works in low paid manual jobs, the doors that may open to you by studying A levels and going to University or undertaking a five-year long apprenticeship may not be apparent. Or indeed, and perhaps more importantly, to your parents and your circle of friends.
Growing up in a family where no one has ever moved more than a few miles down the road, the doors that may open to you by moving somewhere else to seize an opportunity may seem like an incredible risk and the loss of your familiar support network can be a step too far.
Growing up in a family where everyone has only ever had the security or indeed insecurity of paid employment, the huge financial risks of starting an enterprise will often seem like tomfoolery to those around you.
As the first in my family to study A levels, the first in my family to go to university, the first in my family to move away, and the first in my family to start a business, I clearly recall the voices around me that poured doubt on my ambitions, and sowed scorn on the prospects for success. To appreciate that opportunities are not seized by all we have to appreciate that inspiration, encouragement, motivation and ambition are not universally addressed in our homes, schools and within our circles of friends. It’s partly a cultural thing too.
Ideas are sown from an early age. We must never underestimate the benefits of the spark of inspiration from a successful member of our own community.
Investment in infrastructure costs billions, levelling up costs money too, but planting an idea in the minds of young people, and inspiring them to seize opportunities is free. The benefits to our society can be huge.