I quoted George Orwell's Road to Wigan Pier - "lazy idle loafers on the dole" - as many were demonising young people who were unemployed.
The positive responses I shared were three job-creation projects our youth centre sponsored. The first employed 25 young people to set up a farm in London Docklands - 30 years later it is still flourishing as Newham City Farm. The second was Newham Ferro-Cement Boats - building boats for youth and community projects - and that scheme developed into Landmark Training, now seen as one of the best youth-training projects in London. The third placed young people as assistants in youth and community projects. One is now a lecturer, one a social worker and another a vicar.
The objective of job-creation schemes was "to prevent loss of familiarity with a working situation and help improve employment prospects". The jobs created were to be of "social value". They achieved both aims.
Every day now, I read of major job losses. I am fearful again for the consequences for young people and I am asking: are we back again on the road to Wigan Pier?
The government's main response includes increasing access to education and training, improving financial arrangements for young people and widening the curriculum offer. At a recent NYA board meeting, we discussed young people with Neet (not in education, employment or training) status, in response to Local Government Association concerns, and we have commissioned research looking at the underlying causes of the problems facing young people today. A Policy Forum on 9 October will hear the outcome of this research. I hope we might build on our strengths and understanding from the past, but that as we plan for the future we address the material conditions of young people's lives as well as offering them personalised and relevant employment opportunities.
- Bishop Roger Sainsbury is outgoing chair of The NYA. Contact him via Denise Challinor: denisec@nya.org.uk.
