Dr Simmons’ prescription for NEETS

THE impact the current record level of youth unemployment is having on youngsters is to be put in the spotlight.

Dr Robin Simmons is to give a talk on the problems faced by NEETs — 16-to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training — at University Campus Oldham.

It looks at the different ways of dealing with NEETs as well as smashing some of the negative stereotypes about them.

“Some young people do become increasingly de-motivated, isolated and less likely to engage the longer they are out of education and employment,” admitted Dr Simmons.

“But others use the time much more productively, even where they are not formally involved in education or training.

“For example, they might be doing voluntary work, or supporting friends and relatives, maybe in difficult circumstances. Or they might have creative hobbies.”

The latest unemployment figures show that the number of unemployed 16 to 24–year–olds has risen to 1.04 million, the highest number since 1986-7.

Of those, 150,000 are under 18 while 300,000 are full-time students looking for work.

Deputy Prime Nick Clegg announced a £126 million scheme this week to deal with what he described as a “ticking-time bomb”.

Dr Simmons, an education lecturer at Huddersfield University, UCO’s parent university, is leading a three-year study into NEETs.

He has done research among large numbers of young people in the North of England and was the main speaker at an employment and education seminar in London last year.

He also spoke at the sixth annual NEET conference in Birmingham in January.

Dr Simmons argues that even when young people do well at school, often scoring good GCSEs, they are often pushed on to low-level employment training programmes that do not reflect their ability and intelligence.

He added: “The varied nature of these young people means they need differentiated training.

“Because NEET young people are so varied, many of them do need more advanced courses that will stretch them, interest them and provide them with meaningful skills and knowledge.”

The free talk, “Lost generation? Conceptualising young people not in education, employment or training”, takes place at UCO, Cromwell Street, from 6 to 7pm on March 14.

It is part of of UCO’s public lecture series and is open to all. Free refreshments will be served from 5.30pm. To reserve a place call 0161-213 5000 or visit www.hud.ac.uk/oldham/pubiclectureseries2012