Strengthening Young Adults’ Participation in the labour market and policy making – a trade union perspective Dr Caroline Smith, TUC

Young people: UK Picture 77% of 17 year olds in learning -UK 24 th out of 30 in OECD 27% of year olds unemployed 10% of year olds not in employment, education or training (NEET) –1% long term 39% of NEETs attained no qualifications at 16 Expected decline of unskilled jobs to 600,000 by 2020 – 3.2M now

Key education routes ‘A levels’ (to 18) ‘Diplomas’ to begin from a new vocational route -17 different areas - study and work experience Apprenticeships -‘earn and learn’ -intermediate skills

Issues academic and vocational divide -vocational routes often less valued Little progression from Apprenticeships to higher education Lack of employer engagement in Apprenticeships and variable quality Diplomas untested How to engage ‘NEETs’?

All in learning: Raising participation age to 18 Compulsory education currently 16 New government policy for all young people to continue in education or training to 18 (beginning 2015) Main responsibility on young people Employers to provide training or release Doubling of Apprenticeships Support and enforcement Importance of advice and guidance!!

Guidance for young people in the UK Responsibility moved to Local Govt New quality standards Universal and targeted support School career service ‘Connexions’ targeted at vulnerable young people Issues –Lack of funding –School league tables create incentive to keep ‘good’ students –Gender stereotyping

Giving young people a voice Unions and young members Unions and Apprenticeships Unions and students

Unions and young members TUC Young Members Forum – opportunity for young people to influence policy TUC Young Members Conference determines Forum policy annually Many unions have similar structures Activities range from discounted membership to campaigns TUC ‘Youth Manifesto’ Mock youth ‘parliament’ events

Unions and Apprenticeships Influence government policy Materials to support union involvement in Apprenticeships Union learning representatives: information and advice to members, building role re apprentices (much more to be done!!) Young member representatives TUC mapping union involvement Apprenticeships campaign

Unions and Students Student employment up 50% over last 10 years Memorandum of Understanding with National Union of Students ‘Unfare’! transport costs a real barrier to education and employment Trade Unionists in the Classroom Plans to engage unions in supporting work experience in new Diplomas –Membership while in workplace –Identifying representatives