Minister praises Connexions as youth employment rises
Government Minister Margaret Hodge has praised the Connexions youth support service for achieving a 14 per cent reduction nationwide in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
It is the first time in a decade that NEET figures have seen a decrease.
Mrs Hodge, Minister for Children, Young People and Families, said: "It is vital that young people get the support and advice that they need at what is a crucial life stage.
“That's why I'm pleased Connexions is playing its part by meeting the target to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training”.
The figures achieved by Connexions Nottinghamshire were particularly impressive. The advice and guidance service for all 13 to 19 year olds in the county has dramatically reduced NEET over the last 2 years, exceeding expectations and smashing the targets set by the Government.
The Government target for reducing NEET was 10 per cent by 2004. Connexions Nottinghamshire has well exceeded the Government’s targets, achieving an impressive 33 per cent reduction in the percentage of young people in the NEET category in the County - the 2nd highest in the UK.
Jean Pardoe, Chief Executive of Connexions says: “I am absolutely thrilled about these results. The rising number of young people that fall into the NEET category has been a long-standing problem in Nottinghamshire and for the first time we have seen a positive change and substantially improved the lives of many young people.
“This achievement has been as a result of strong partnership working across agencies, particularly the LSC; through the dedication of our Personal Advisers, who have worked tirelessly to help young people; and, naturally, the ambition and drive of the young people themselves.”
Connexions provides advice, guidance and personal development services to all 13-19 year olds across Nottinghamshire. Connexions Personal Advisers (PAs) based in schools, colleges, youth centres and high street drop-in 'one stop shops' give professional and confidential advice on a range of subjects from careers, jobs and education to drug abuse, homelessness and teenage pregnancy.
On the national figures, Margaret Hodge added: “This is a testament to the hard work of all those helping young people make important decisions about their future, and highlights the importance of services working in partnership. Re-engaging in learning or work will make a real difference to the lives of young people involved."
Connexions Nottinghamshire uses a variety of methods to tackle employment and training issues.
- Connexions’ Personal Advisers have established excellent employment and work experience links with local employers and identified the best training opportunities for young people needing basic skills development.
- Connexions Nottinghamshire’s Vacancies Online site holds a database of local vacancies from businesses around the county. And young people can apply for most vacancies online.
- Connexions also use a unique database system to track the progress of young people leaving school. It is designed to ensure that teenagers are given every opportunity to achieve their potential.
- Of the 1.6m 16-18 year olds currently in the country, Connexions has up-to-date information on about 93 per cent of young people.
- Connexions services have been designed with the help and guidance of young people who are involved in Partnership Management Boards and in such activities as devising quality standards, recruitment of staff and design of marketing materials.
- Connexions partnerships support young people through group work, one-to-one focused support and activity programmes.
- Young people also receive a personalised individual support service from a Personal Adviser, leading to information or guidance on their current options, on removing barriers to their progress and on future directions. This follows from an assessment within a clear framework, enabling the service to be matched to need.
Connexions Nottinghamshire’s success can also be attributed to effective partnership working with other key agencies – the Learning and Skills Council, e2e providers, the Youth Service, Aimhigher Nottinghamshire and, of course, schools and colleges.
The Learning and Skills Council’s innovative Apprenticeship, work-based learning and e2e programmes, have greatly contributed to Connexions Nottinghamshire’s figures. Mick Brown, of the LSC says: “This is an outstanding result for Nottinghamshire, and I would like to congratulate the Connexions Service for making such a significant impact on the numbers Not in Employment, Education or Training.
“The LSC is working in partnership with the Connexions Service and other partners, including both Local Education Authorities, to ensure that young people are supported to make a successful transition at 16 by increasing the number of learning progression pathways that they can access.”
“In particular, we are developing a range of vocational progression routes so that those young people who do not want to follow the academic route can continue to learn and acquire the skills that employers need.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Connexions in 2005 to further reduce the numbers of young people across the county who are not in employment, education or training.”
