8 May 2013 Verity Hancock, Principal, Leicester College Youth Employment Convention: The Impacts of Raising the Participation Age 8 May 2013 Verity Hancock, Principal, Leicester College

Leicester College 26,000 learners Age range 13-93 5,800 learners aged 16-18 20,000 learners aged 19+ 660 Higher Education learners 2,000 apprentices 3,750 ESOL learners 2,000 employer customers 3 main sites, 80 outreach centres 1,500 staff We are one of the largest colleges in the country – we have a very wide range of learners, across all age groups and studying at different levels, from entry up to university level; We have around between 1,500 and 2,000 employer customers a year from the public and private sector We also have 1,500 staff so we are a major employer in Leicester – that also means we have a broad spectrum of expertise and skills across many sectors

Benefits of RPA Young people are better prepared for employment, further or higher education Study programmes that are personalised and meet specific need More time for young people to find the right route More time for young people to develop their skills

Implications Colleges: Young People: Meeting expectations – young people and employers Increase in potential cohort size 1,650 NEETs Leic/Leics Competition and relationships with schools Getting impartial advice to young people and their families Importance of a really good offer and routes from age 14/16 Traineeships, Study programmes, Tech Bacc? Young People: Understanding the benefits of ‘staying on’ Understanding that ‘staying on’ can mean moving to another institution Having and awareness of aspirational and achievable career paths Navigating through the choice of: Providers Offer Identifying appropriate support

Challenges for colleges and providers Managing competition Impartial and early IAG Getting it right for the individual young person Preference for academic over vocational Developing a diverse and flexible offer Supporting people who make the ‘wrong’ choices Impact of adult funding policy – getting it right first time becomes more critical?