Tuesday, 7 February 2012

David Miliband to save us?

Well, yesterday was the 6 month anniversary of the summer riots, it is also National apprenticeship week - in anticipation, David Miliband spoke at a conference on Monday to highlight the changes, progress and issues surrounding unemployed youngsters:

http://www.acevo.org.uk/


Miliband highlights the alarming NEET figures and the UK economics situation, with future forecasts and opportunity costs.

Calling the current situation of the youth of today 'scarring', and singling London out as a major area needing help, he admits the lack of opportunities for those not going to university/post 16, and after, need urgent help and rejuvenation. One idea deliberated is a national data base for apprenticeships, similar to the UCAS system. Another great point discussed was the debilitating price of transport to youngsters on minimum wage (lower than the adult wage), or going to multiple job interviews.

Work experience, OFSTED and college incentives are also being looked at, most importantly - vulnerable young people. The money saving, but thoroughly innovative and generative idea of using young people to mentor others is one I hope is mentioned again, and bought to action. All good ideas, and it is good to see a politician actively admitting the flaws of the current system and working towards targeting the many barriers opposing the aspirations of young people, but is it enough?

So can David Miliband save the youth of today? We'll see...

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