The Learning Exchange Library
Vocational skills: stuck in the U-bend of predjudice? This is a fascinating and illuminating cross-section of views on attitudes in schools, among tradespeople, academics and the public towards the merits of gaining a 'vocational skill' beside what academic choices in life offer.
Young people and employment: House of Commons oral questions, 13 June 2011 A number of questions were raised and answered on the government's current efforts to help reduce unemployment amongst young people. More here and here.
Moving On Here is an well-constructed and thought-through career education resource from BT and Edcoms.co.uk, which aims to help young people between 14 and 19 work out who they are, what life and work skills they need and how to develop these. And, most importantly, it takes young people through the process of how to present all of this to employers in a CV that helps them stand out. It's free - and doesn't need to be used during school hours. It could definitely be part of an extra-curricular study support offer.
European Union: Not in education or training This graph shows the percentage of 18-24 year olds across European Union countries who are without better than International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) Level 2 and not attending education or training. The UK level is 15 per cent. Here are the ISCED levels.
Northern Ireland: Not in education, employment or training Among the key points demonstrated in this set of statistics from The Poverty Site, is that, on average, the more deprived an area is, the lower the proportion is of school leavers going on to further education or university. However, deprivation makes less difference if the area is Catholic than if it is Protestant.
The Wolf Report Vocational education for 14-19 year olds should create and maintain opportunities for all young people. This review looks at how vocational education can be improved and how young people's training and career paths can lead to their successful employment. It offers practical recommendations for future policy directions.
'...we should be ashamed' Alison Wolf, the lead on the recent vocational education review, writes in The Times about her findings and recommendations in relation to vocational education in England. (From section: Articles)
'It feels like every option is being shut off' CYP Now looks at the bleak unemployment situation facing many young people, including Tej Kaur Rai who has been trying her hardest with little success.
The Labour market in winter: The State of working Britain 2010 This paper by economists Jonathan Wadsworth and Paul Gregg (and others) describes how the recession has been felt in different sectors of the economy.
Exactly how lost is the 'lost generation'? This blog by Stephen Overell on the Work Foundation's website summarises the perspective that John Wadsworth and Paul Gregg's paper on unemployment and the recession (see Gem above) brings to our understanding of the plight of NEETs. Large student numbers can skew the figures, for example. And though the youth unemployment rate is higher now than in the previous two recessions, as a percentage of unemployed in Britain, young people are not faring worse than others. And, here's a quote from the blog: 'Outflow rates from unemployment for young people are still higher than in previous recessions and higher too compared to other age groups.
The cost of exclusion: counting the cost of youth disadvantage in the UK This report from the Princes Trust looks at the cost of long-term youth unemployement and the exclusion it engenders.
16 February: Shunted aside The future looks gloomy for young unemployed people. Andrew Cave, from Federation of Small Businesses thinks there is a two-track economy opening up.
16 February 2011: The stories and faces of young unemployment (BBC report)
Against the odds: Re-engaging young people in education, employment or training The July 2010 Audit Commission report on why and how local councils should help young people not in education, employment and training.
Fairbridge An organisation that works with young people aged 13 to 25 that others find difficult to engage, giving them motivation, self-confidence and skills.
Tomorrow's People A charity that aims to help break the cycle of unemployment so that people can take positive control of their lives and build a brighter future.
Young people not in education, employment or training Eighth Report of Session 2009–10; Volume I House of Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee
Reducing the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training: what works and why A report that looks at the key factors that have made a difference in reducing the proportion of 16-to-18-year-olds not in education, employment or training in twelve local authorities. Ofsted report, 17 March 2010.
Moving through the system – information, advice and guidance Young people and their parents and carers need high-quality information, advice and guidance to help make thoughtful and well-informed choices about what route to take in education, training or employment, particularly at age 16 and beyond. Ofsted report 23 March 2010.
Job Ready programme Free skills courses in East London for 11 to 25 year olds including work placements. Read an article about the programme here.
Toolkit for London Extended Schools – working with young people NEET What works in preventing and re-engaging young people not in education,employment, or training in London.
Return of the real apprentices BBC iPlayer: Panorama followed the fortunes of four young people searching for work in Swindon. The programme first met them in 2007 and set them real-life apprentice-style work challenges, with dramatic results. Since then the recession has struck, and hit Swindon - and their prospects - hard. How have they responded? Available for viewing until 26 April 2011.