| 9. Learning and
Working |
| 9.1 For any young person,
whatever their level of attainment, good core skills and relevant qualifications are the
key to getting a job and insuring against lengthy periods of future unemployment. Basic
employability and future success at work are closely linked to learning and the ability to
acquire new skills. We are therefore committed to giving young people who have a job the
chance to continue learning and to give young unemployed people a real opportunity to
prove their capabilities and learn new skills in order to demonstrate their potential to
future employers. |
|
| Learning at work -
right to study |
|
| 9.2 It is vital that we try as
far as possible to cater for the wishes and aspirations of all young people. For some, the
prime goal will be to get a job. This should not mean the end of learning. For young
people who leave school without a Level 2 qualification, we are introducing a new right to
study or training for a qualification while in employment. The new Teaching and Higher
Education Act will place a duty on employers to allow 16 and 17 year-olds paid time off
for study or training. The Careers Service will advise young people who choose to take up
the right to time off for study or training about their rights under the new legislation.
We look forward to working in partnership with employers to implement these changes which
stand to benefit both the young people and assist their employers in developing a skilled
workforce |
| 9.3 We appreciate that, for
employers who do not already engage in training, this will be a new departure. We will,
therefore, issue guidance on the practicalities of arranging study or training which may
include attendance at an FE college, work-based training or even distance learning. The
range of qualifications which will be eligible will be set out in the regulations and will
also be explained in the guidance. |
| |
| 10.
Informal Education for Young People |
| 10.1 Many young people learn a
great deal about how to conduct themselves, relate to others and meet new challenges in
youth organisations and less formal groups. For a significant number, contact with adults
in such groups is a central point of security in what can be a difficult period of
transition, particularly for young people with special needs or those leaving care. Youth
work organisations have shown great capacity to innovate despite difficulties in
recruiting the number of volunteers they require. Some very positive moves have been: |
- the development by local authorities
of youth strategies and collaboration with the voluntary sector;
- more issue-based youth work;
- the development of structures
through which young people can make their voices heard;
- the growth of youth information
services; and
- projects which address disaffection,
community safety and healthy lifestyles including drug education.
|
| 10.2 While we intend to
concentrate attention in the short term on young people in greatest need, this must not be
to the detriment of others who can benefit from involvement with youth organisations. To
ensure that the full range of young people's needs is met we are taking the following
action: |
- working with voluntary organisations on
the development of a curriculum for youth work which will include a range of issues and
programmes to assist volunteers and paid staff in tackling issues with young people;
- promoting development of detached and
outreach youth work where workers engage with young people on the street or in their
communities. This approach has been particularly effective in developing young people who
have no interest in standard forms of provision and who may be particularly vulnerable or
at risk. A monitoring and evaluation exercise will facilitate the production of guidelines
on practice models and identify and meet training and staff development needs;
- considering links between schools and
community education following an SOEID research project which has just reported; and
- considering with a short-life working
group the future focus of community education. The report of this group, which is expected
shortly, will include recommendations on future priorities.
|
