A fresh review of the way trades training and other measures designed to boost youth employment are delivered, has been pledged by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Mr Clegg said the current set-up of Government schemes for unemployed people in the 18 to 24 age group was a “maze” and said a new assessment would start by the autumn.
He made his vow at the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) annual dinner, where he promised greater help for organisations aiming to equip young people with skills for the workplace.
The Deputy Prime Minister said: “The average school leaver doesn't have a clue about which Government departments or agencies look after the schemes that are out there to help them. Right now it's too easy for those young people who don't think university is right for them to get lost in the maze of different employment and skills programmes available and never find the advice, support and options they need.”
He said the review of the present “complex and confusing web” of initiatives would be led by the Cabinet Office. It will also focus on helping the many employers that are put off programmes such as apprenticeship schemes because they cannot find what they want locally or they find the whole system too complicated.
Mr Clegg spoke out about the need to reform the system as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said there is currently too little Government help and support for people who are classed as long-term unemployed. The TUC said the flagship Work Programme scheme has failed to find solutions to the problem and a “radical” rethink of the policy is necessary.
TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: “Ministers need to spend less time demonising and impoverishing those can't find a job and more money actually helping them to get into work.”