Background
to the
Research
- Those who experience unemployment
as young people are more likely to experience it as adults and for
this and other reasons the issue of youth unemployment has received
renewed attention. As long-term unemployment amongst adults remains
persistently high in NI the T&EA commissioned a research study into
the nature and extent of Status 0 in NI. This paper represents an
overview of that study.
Research
Approach
- An examination of several existing data
sources held by the T&EA, the Department of Education for NI and the
Census Office was carried out.
- A survey was conducted consisting of face-to-face
interviews with a representative sample of around 1,000 young people
throughout NI who will become eligible to leave school for the first
time in 1993. In-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with
a small number of young people and professionals who had some experience
of Status 0.
Main
Findings
- There is a relatively low incidence of
Status 0 in NI compared with some areas of Great Britain. However,
nearly one tenth (8%) of each cohort of school leavers in NI experience
long spells of unemployment and inactivity (Status 0) between the
ages of 16 and 18 (around 2,000 young people in any one cohort).
- Young people find it difficult to get
out of Status 0 after they have entered it and so experience spells
of long duration.
- The findings raise issues concerning the
effectiveness of post-compulsory education and training since the
figures imply that there are large flows into unemployment after the
age of 18 amongst young people who were previously in full-time education
and training.
- The findings suggest that policies relating
to those who find themselves in Status 0 have the potential to be
successful because they are aimed at a relatively small number of
people and such young people have a reasonably clear set of identifiable
characteristics which can facilitate the targeting of resources.
Conclusions
- Resources should be targeted carefully
towards the most 'at risk' young people, especially during the early
stages of their progression through compulsory education.
- Relevant professionals should ensure that
the most marginalised young people are not allowed to fall through
the nets of mainstream provision. In particular, every effort should
be made to help young people avoid Status 0 immediately leaving school.
- Thought should be given to the financial
incentives faced by training providers in relation to recruiting low
achievers who are most at risk of entering Status 0. Some existing
evidence suggests that current incentives in NI are inadequate and,
in some incidences, may exacerbate many of the problems faced by marginalised
young people.
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