New programme improves employability for young people.

This year has seen the demise of the Connexions Careers Service and the removal of the statutory entitlement for Work Experience and Careers Education for young people.

There is increased concern about Britain’s growing number of unemployed young people with good cause;

Details released this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal the jobless figure for 16 to 24 year olds rose by 67,000 over the quarter to reach 1.02 million.

The ONS said: “The unemployment level and rate for people aged from 16 to 24 are the highest since directly comparable records began in 1992.”

The situation for young people is startling:

• Over 1 million young people between the ages of 16-24 are unemployed, many of them long term.
• Almost 28% of UK graduates who left University in 2007 are still unemployed.
• 40% of employers have cited poor literacy, numeracy and employability skills as reasons that they are recruiting fewer young people.

In the face of cuts, it is now critical that schools and educators do not decide that Careers and Employability Education are no longer essential and do even less for our young people.

It is clear that we must invest far more time and effort into giving school, college and even university leavers skills and training which enable them to access the job market and to be successful for themselves, their employers and their communities when they do find work.

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced today new measures to ensure more young people benefit from apprenticeships, and help employers gain the skilled workers they need to grow.  To encourage thousands of small firms that don’t currently recruit apprentices to take on a young apprentice aged 16 to 24, the Government now offers small employers an incentive payment of up to £1,500. The measures will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13. However young people and their parents are still confused about employment options are and whether a degree is still the best option.

A new service provider

InspireEducation, part of Inspire2Exceed, has developed a number of Careers Education, Information and Guidance (IAG) support packages for schools and colleges.  The programmes are unique as they have been developed in partnership with employers.

The programmes enable schools to deliver the requirements expected by OFSTED, and pilots have inspired and motivated learners about their future and generated improved attainment in schools.

Inspire2Exceed does not currently receive any government funding and, as a social enterprise, will return 60% of its profits to supporting young people’s employment needs.

This story highlights that something better can be achieved despite cuts and during an economic downturn.

“We have worked, and will continue to work, with education and the world of business to develop programmes, which enable young people to do better at school and equip them to meet the requirements of business and industry.” Said Laura-Jane Rawlings, founder of InspireEducation.

The InspireEducation service is delivered by licenced partners to all education providers throughout the UK from the 18th of November and to celebrate its launch is running a Free Prize Draw for FREE IAG WORKSHOPS.

Schools, colleges or employers in Surrey looking to find out more about this important new programme should contact Peter Tate on 01483 604580 or visit www.i2e-education.co.uk.

Note to the editor

InspireEducation has been supporting schools and colleges in Northamptonshire with this programme since 2010.  Now through a network of licensed partners the InspireEducation programmes are available throughout the UK.  Peter Tate from Career Support Services is the contact for Surrey and Wokingham.

InspireEducation and Career Support Services also work with businesses to produce lesson plans and resources to bring the world of business into the classroom.  Business engagement is essential to inspire the changes that are needed to our education system and both these organisations are at the forefront of those changes. As well as employability skills schools and colleges will also be offered more resources on instilling business skills and promoting enterprise at the earliest ages.

For further information please contact Peter Tate, Career Support Services.