Young people demand better advice on 14 to 19 learning from government

By Lauren Higgs Thursday, 03 December 2009

Government officials have been urged to provide young people and their parents with information on how raising the participation age will affect them.

Young woman learning practical skills. Credit: Robin Hammond

The 14 to 19 learner panel, made up of young people aged between 13 and 20, told civil servants from the Department for Children, Schools and Families that pupils don't understand why the participation age is being increased. Young people are also unaware of the range of options available, such as paid training, they warned.

To resolve this, the government should provide better information, advice and guidance to young people and parents on the likely impact of raising the participation age.

The panel also raised the issue of how gender affects 14 to 19 choices after statistics showed 91.8 per cent of students on the Society, Health and Development Diploma are female while 97 per cent of students on the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment are male.

One of the young men on the learner panel said: "When I said I was going to do childcare they said I must be gay. It was annoying listening to my mates' prejudice."

The panel suggested the government launches a campaign in the media and on social networking sites highlighting examples of role models who defy gender stereotypes.

They also recommended using the media to challenge parents' and employers' perceptions.