Call for schools to improve vocational training advice

Central YMCA believes that improving the quality of careers guidance, with greater focus given to non-university routes into employment, will be key for the next government to properly tackle youth joblessness.
 
Its manifesto calls for the effective promotion of vocational training and apprenticeships, recommending the government's new careers company reviews guidance for schools on careers advice with the aim of ending the imbalance in status between university and work-based education.
 
The nationwide training provider is also calling for greater co-operation between local businesses and schools, with the belief that regular access to industry prepares young people for training and work, and helps with decisions at critical stages of life.
 
In addition, Central YMCA wants a review of how Ofsted grades training providers, with the belief that current methods are limiting opportunities for young people from hard-to-reach groups with low attainment levels.
 
It also wants to see Jobcentre Plus increase partnerships with training providers and local businesses.
 
Research supporting the manifesto has been published in Central YMCA’s Two Futures – The Lost or Found Generation report, which finds that although the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) has returned to pre-recession figures, the size of the Neet population is still too high.

Rosi Prescott, Central YMCA chief executive, said: “Efforts need to be made immediately to ensure rates of youth unemployment are reduced and that the opportunities created by economic recovery are also enjoyed by those who have been worst affected by the recession.

“Working to reduce current levels of youth unemployment by 10 per cent would generate billions of pounds in savings to the public purse, as well as injecting billions more into regional economies.

“Data produced for the Audit Commission and further studies by The Prince’s Trust, indicate that this 10 per cent reduction would benefit the economy by £15bn over the lifetimes of these young people, as well as reducing youth crime and increasing economic productivity.”

Last week, data released by the Office for National Statistics showed there were 963,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK who were Neet at the end of 2014.

Lizzie Crowley, head of youth employment at The Work Foundation, said: “The UK has a longstanding youth unemployment crisis; despite post-recession falls the rate remains high at over 16 per cent and represents a major economic and social challenge.

“We need to take action to improve careers guidance in schools; build closer links between education and business; improve access to, as well as the quality of, apprenticeships; and better co-ordinate services for young people at a local level.”