Youth Unemployment in Northern Ireland - Patterns and Responses

Author(s): David Armstrong
Document Type: Research Paper
Year: 1997
Publisher: Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre
Place of Publication: Belfast
Subject Area(s): Employment, Unemployment, Economic Issues
Client Group(s) : Young People

Abbreviations: NI - Northern Ireland, T&EA - Training and Employment Agency

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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