Plans to encourage volunteering among young people and to
persuade 16- and 17-year-olds not in school or work or lacking
basic skills back into education or training were launched last
month alongside the long-awaited youth green paper.
New activity and learning agreements, to be piloted in 12 area
across England from next April, will see around 30,000 16- and
17-year-olds agree to return to education or receive vocational
training in return for financial support.
Those out of work or education could receive up to œ40 a week
for committing to going back to college or signing up to work-based
learning. For those in work but not receiving accredited training,
money will be available to meet the costs associated with obtaining
qualifications and to subsidise employers who allow staff time off
to study.
