Response to Launch of ‘Pathways to Success’ – the Strategy for Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

“The cross-departmental nature of this Strategy is vital to ensuring that it addresses the needs of young people facing barriers that prevent them from engaging in learning and employment.

“As an organisation with more than 30 years experience of working with vulnerable young people across Northern Ireland, we have been heavily engaged throughout the process.

“Without having had an opportunity to look at the detail of the Strategy we particularly welcome the inclusion of a training allowance for young people participating in pre-vocational schemes, such as our Give and Take Scheme.  

“This has been a major issue of concern for Include Youth and the young people we work with, who wrote letters to the Minister for Employment and Learning and their local elected-representatives to highlight the inequity of the situation.

“We look forward to discussing the detail around the provision of this training allowance when we meet with the Minister this afternoon.

“We’re pleased to see that a number of approaches that we know work for these young people are included in the Strategy, such as individualised action plans for each young person; working with the careers service; effective signposting; and the involvement of community and voluntary sector organisations as providers.

“The success of the strategy will hinge on two key aspects, adequate funding by the Executive and proper joined-up delivery by all departments.

“We intend to examine the planned actions in greater detail and comment further.  For now, Include Youth wants to continue our engagement with the Department for Employment and Learning and other department as the Strategy is implemented.”

Include Youth is an independent NGO that promotes the rights and best interests of and best practice with young people at risk.  Include Youth works directly with young people to support them to be engaged with policy decision-making processes and to improve their employability.

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  For more information please contact Sharon Whittaker, Communications Worker at Include Youth on 028 9031 1007 or Sharon@includeyouth.org

Notes to editors:

-          Please see attached two letters young people participating on the Give and Take Scheme sent to the Employment and Learning Minister in 2011 raising their concerns about not being able to access a training allowance, these may be used for quotes if you wish.

-          Include Youth’s response to Pathways to Success Consultation, July 2012: http://includeyouth.org/i/Executive_Summary_-_Response_to_the_Department_of_Employment_and_Learnings_Consultation_on_Pathways_to_Success_July_2011.pdf

-          Include Youth briefing paper on a training allowance: http://includeyouth.org/i/Briefing_paper_on_Include_Youths_Response_to_Pathways_to_Success_-_Education_Maintenance_Allowance_September_20112.pdf