As our economy continues to ‘flat line’ and youth unemployment continues to rise, the possibility of a ‘lost generation’ becomes more of a reality. And as we all know, if a person doesn’t secure employment early in life, then it becomes more difficult to obtain and hold down a job later in life.
As someone who worked in the youth service, I know only too well how important it is to ensure that young people have proper facilities and support as they move into adulthood. Because of Government cuts, such support is becoming more and more difficult to maintain.
The other day, I visited the Senghenydd Youth Drop-in Centre (SYDIC) and was able to see at first hand the excellent work which is being done there. Rather than tell young people what they want, which is sadly often the case in youth work, the youth workers work with the young people and ensure that the activities which are pursued are those which are wanted by the young people themselves and are relevant to their needs.
For example, SYDIC is currently working on an intergenerational project which is aimed at bringing together young and older people. It is more of this kind of youth work which we need.
Another example of excellent youth work can be seen in Bedwas Workmen’s Hall. Here, a group of volunteers provide a wide range of activities for young people and the commitment of the volunteers is matched only by the enthusiasm of the young people.
Youth work is important for a number of reasons. Crucial is the fact that youth work helps prepare young people for the world of work. Employers often say to me that what is needed from young people is evidence that they have ‘soft skills’. In other words, that young people can work together, show initiative, have self discipline and are able to concentrate on a given task. Youth work, in various ways, helps to develop these skills. But, in this respect youth work is only effective if young people have something to look forward to – employment.
The high levels of youth unemployment are a real worry. Tackling this problem should be one of the priorities of the Conservative led Government in Westminster. Sadly, it is not.
Wayne David
Labour MP for Caerphilly
Wayne David rightly says,
"Tackling this problem (youth unemployment) should be one of the priorities of the Conservative led Government in Westminster. Sadly, it is not."
Something should be urgently done to stimulate training and investment in industry & infrastructure, we need to get the young into work so that they may become full participants in society and the economy.
Government also needs to look at the state pension regime which acts against providing jobs for the young. From 2026 workers will not receive their pension until they are 67 years of age, with prospects of further increases in the pension age. People in some jobs may relish the prospect of working for longer but what about the millions who left school at sixteen and have worked hard manually since?
Do we really want to see scaffolders working outside in all weathers as they approach their 70th birthday? This is just one example of the vital jobs which can and should be done by the young whilst those who have 'done their bit' by paying tax and national insurance for forty years should be allowed a dignified retirement should they so wish.