The government must deliver a new “September Promise”, guaranteeing access to high-quality education or training places to every young person who wants one this autumn, according to the Association of Colleges.
The AoC predicts that 100,000 young people may struggle to enter the labour market as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – and says that a promise of a guaranteed place "would make sure Covid-19 damage does not last a lifetime".
David Hughes, chief executive of the AoC, said that this was a chance to break the cycle of disadvantaged young people suffering not just in the immediate aftermath of an economic downturn, but often for the rest of their lives.
He said: “A ‘September Promise’ of high-quality education and training would reduce the risk of long-term economic scarring, and make sure that businesses have the skilled workforce needed to facilitate economic growth.
“Colleges across England educate and train 2.2 million people each year. They are uniquely placed at the heart of their communities, they have the facilities, the expertise and the enthusiasm to support this extra cohort of young people, they just need the investment from the government to make it happen.
“A September Promise would give hope to a generation of young people currently worried about their career prospects now and in the future. It will be they who rebuild the country after Covid-19 but only if we put the support in place now.”
More: Youth unemployment could rise by 600,000
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Background: More than half of employers stop recruiting apprentices
The AoC's September Promise targets those from low-income families and those who would normally be starting apprenticeships in September. It also calls for a dedicated focus on “catch up” to reduce the impact Covid-19 is likely to have on achievement and attainment rates.
Other recommendations include:
- A national skills and retraining programme that brings together the adult education budget, National Skills Fund (due to start in 2021), national retraining scheme and Shared Prosperity Fund into a coherent, easily managed and understandable fund that works for every adult, in every situation, in every community.
- Bringing forward some of the £1.5 billion announced in the March 2020 Budget for college capital investment so that it can be used to purchase IT equipment and software, as well as making necessary building modifications to embed a mixture of online and in-person learning.
Research published today by the Resolution Foundation today found that youth unemployment could rise by 600,000 this year because of the coronavirus crisis. The report, published today, says young people's prospects could be "scarred" for years, with long-term damage done to their pay and job prospects.
