Disadvantaged youngsters need more support, says Prince’s Trust

The Prince’s Trust this week urged the government,
industry and the voluntary sector to do more to support
disadvantaged young people in the UK, writes Clare
Jerrom. 

Half of disadvantaged 18-21-year-olds claim they are held back
by a lack of qualifications and two thirds of unemployed young
people said there was a lack of suitable career advice in their
community.

“Only by listening to the evolving needs of young people
and remaining constantly relevant can we prevent more young people
from slipping through the net,” said Leslie Morphy, the
Trust’s director of programmes and policy.

Based on a consultation of 1,000 disadvantaged 14-25-year-olds,
the charity calls for work placements and apprenticeships to be
made more widely available, particularly for ex-offenders.
Employers should be offered incentives to develop family friendly
procedures to enable young parents to return to the workforce.

The benefits system should be more flexible and ensure that
young people get more money in employment, education or training
than on benefits.

Ninety two per cent of the group believed there were gaps in the
provision of services they need in their local community while 45
per cent were confused about where to go for help. Four out of five
liked the idea of a single organisation to help with all of their
problems.

Report from http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/