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Search forSchool system fails thousands of teens
Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 09:00
While many pupils will celebrate record-breaking achievements in their GCSE results today, more than four per cent of young people aged between 16 and 24 in Wales left school with no GCSEs or equivalent entry level qualifications in 2007.
The figure amounts to 1,500 young people each year and is higher than the three per cent recorded in England.
It is estimated that the 12,000 NEET (not in education, employment or training) 16 to 18-year-olds cost taxpayers in excess of £1 billion over their lifetime.
Voluntary body Rathbone Cymru, which supports young people who are facing barriers in education, employment or training, says the cost has remained high despite the Assembly's increasing focus on delivering basic skills, cutting child poverty and the recent publication of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2008.
The organisation argues that more needs to be done to allow disadvantaged young people to aspire to their goals and equip them to make an effective transition into adulthood and independence.
Richard Newton, director of Rathbone Cymru, said: "We are proud to support nearly 2,000 young people in Wales each year to enter education, employment and training.
"However, many more young people need the help of organisations such as Rathbone Cymru and more needs to be done to ensure we empower these young people to reach their full potential and contribute to a successful Wales."
Rathbone has recently employed a team of eight youth engagement workers who engage young people on a proactive basis through street-based youth work and the provision of community-based activities.
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