How do we create and protect jobs for young people? Committee seeks views

• Call for evidence 
• Inquiry: Youth Unemployment
• Send a submission
• Youth Unemployment Committee
• Committee’s Twitter account @LordsYouthUnemp

Views can be shared with the Committee in the following ways:

• Written submissions in response to the Committee’s questions, listed below
• Sharing your views and experiences via direct message to the Committee’s Twitter account @LordsYouthUnemp
• Short messages or videos through the Committee’s WhatsApp account on 0207 219 6612

The inquiry

The committee is considering what measures should be taken to tackle youth unemployment . It is examining how the labour market may change due to current events such as COVID-19, Brexit, and technological developments in the years ahead. It intends to propose long-term, durable solutions, and will report before the end of November 2021.

Youth unemployment is a longstanding issue in the UK and one which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. The latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data shows that under-25s account for over 60% of the fall in UK employees since before the pandemic.

Challenges 

1. What are the main challenges facing young people seeking employment today? How do structural factors impact youth unemployment, and how might these be addressed?

2. What are the main challenges facing employers in the labour market today? What barriers do they face in recruiting young workers and setting up apprenticeships and traineeships?

3. What future social, economic and technological changes are likely to impact youth unemployment? What impact might these changes have, and how should this be planned for and addressed?

4. Is funding for education, training and skills enough to meet the needs of young people and of the labour market? How can we ensure it continues to reach those who need it most?

Primary and secondary education

5. Does the national curriculum equip young people with the right knowledge and skills to find secure jobs and careers? What changes may be needed to ensure this is the case in future?

6. Is careers education preparing young people with the knowledge to explore the range of opportunities available? What role does work experience play in this regard?

7. What lessons can be learned from alternative models of education and assessment? What are the challenges with, and obstacles to, the adoption of such models?

Further education, higher education and training 

8. What more needs to be done to ensure parity of esteem between vocational and academic study in the jobs market and society? How can funding play a role in this?

9. What is the role of business and universities in creating a thriving jobs market for young people? How should they be involved in developing skills and training programmes at further and higher education level?

10. What can be done to ensure that enough apprenticeship and traineeship placements are available for young people? Is the apprenticeship levy the right way to achieve a continuing supply of opportunities?

Jobs and employment

11.What lessons can be learned by current and previous youth labour market policy interventions and educational approaches, both in the UK and in other countries?

12. What economic sectors present opportunities for sustainable, quality jobs for young people? How can we ensure these opportunities are capitalised on and that skills meet demand, particularly for green jobs?

13. How might future youth labour market interventions best be targeted towards particular groups, sectors or regions? Which ones should be targeted?

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committee
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees