Aidan Relf, spokesman for ALP, told CYP Now that the continuation of the scheme is essential to turn around the life chances of disadvantaged 16- and 17-year-olds.
"With unemployment at its highest since 1994 and nearly a million 16- to 24-year-olds now out of work, ALP is hoping that the new coalition government will put in some serious thinking on how we can avoid a lost generation of young people," he said.
Relf called on ministers to stick to the proposal in the Liberal Democrat manifesto for a work placement scheme with up to 800,000 places, which would provide young people with the opportunity to gain skills, qualifications and work experience even if they can't find a job.
"We must see a greater integration of employment and skills programmes," Relf said. "ALP wants to see more unemployed people get access to basic skills training to increase their chances of securing a sustainable job."
He added that the coalition must clarify the future of 14 to 19 education and training as soon as possible. Responsibility for 14 to 19 was only devolved to local authorities in April this year, but that could be reversed.
"Before the election the Conservatives said they had secured an agreement from the Local Government Association that 14 to 19 would go back to a national agency from local authorities," Relf said. "We'll have to see."
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