A clutch of new GCSE certificate holding 16 year olds appear on the market today, perhaps heading to do ‘A’ levels, get a job, do an apprenticeship, or remain a NEET. But what are their prospects?
The following facts are from Cedefop.
80 million people in the EU have a low level of skill.
Young people 15-24 are projected to experience only moderate increases in high level qualification. Low skill can affect confidence and lead to social exclusion.
There is a decline of 7 million jobs between 2010 and 2020 for those with no or few qualifications.
The EU target for lifelong learning for 25-64 years old is 15%. In 2008 it was only 9.5%, a large shortfall.
Between 2010 and 2020, the number of jobs for those with low/no formal qualifications declines rapidly by 12 million.
More people looking for fewer jobs means that employers have the pick of the crop and future jobs also require more skills and knowledge than jobs have required in the past.
The message is clear. Skill up. Now.
Without this the wealth polarisation and chasm between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’s’ will get wider.
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Interesting stats. I agree with your analysis and conclusion. I also wonder what the Government is doing to help with “upskilling”. I know there are various initiatives but how many youngsters are aware of them, and do they really help? We could be seeing a generation of lost workers. Bad for them, and bad for us all as that will mean a generation of lost taxes. Perhaps this is one reason why Government has to keep borrowing beyond its forecasts.