Young people concerned the recession will damage job prospects

Tags: education | employment | research reports | young people

Two-thirds of young people believe the recession will have a detrimental effect on their ability to find employment, the latest Youth Commission report reveals.

The research showed that 58 per cent wanted major changes to be made to the education system in order to improve their chances of finding a job.

6,000 13-25-year-olds were questioned, with 48 per cent saying they feel they have not had enough work experience to help them work out their career path, while 65 per cent believe their background will heavily influence their job prospects.

Rose Dowling, director of Edge Learner Forum, said: "Being still in or having just left school, young people are well placed to inform ministers on the changes that need to be made to ensure everyone leaves the system possessing skills that make them an attractive proposition to potential employers."

The report recommends that the education system be looked at, with improvements to careers advice and work experience of importance. It suggests that the quality of careers advice should be improved especially for those uncertain about their future, and that every young person should have access to top-level work experience.

It also calls for the increased importance of vocational routes to employment, rather than the idea that university is the only way to get a decent job.

The link between young people and employers also needs to be addressed, the report says. It suggests there should be greater communication about what is expected of young people and what they need to do to land the jobs they are after, and that this should be done at the earliest possible stage.

Barry Sheerman, chairman of the select committee, said: "There needs to be a three-way conversation. We need to know what employers are looking for, what young people want and how education can implement those changes."