More Cambridgeshire teens learning or earning
Young people in Cambridgeshire are bucking the worklessness trend
The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Cambridgeshire has fallen again.
Latest figures show that during May 2010, 5.2 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds in the county were NEET compared to 5.9 per cent in May 2009.
Locality teams
Cambridgeshire County Council locality teams, which include Connexions youth services, have worked hard to support young people who are NEET and encourage them to remain in learning in order to improve their prospects of future employment.
A total of 85 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds in the county are currently in education compared to 81.9 per cent this time last year.
Future Jobs Fund
The Cambridgeshire Together Future Jobs Fund has now provided job opportunities for over 100 young people across Cambridgeshire and the programme is on target to place a further 40 young people into jobs by the end of July. The programme is aimed at young people aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseekers Allowance for between six months and one year.The recession has hit young people particularly hard, and the Future Jobs Fund provides them with a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills and experience in a real job.
Cllr Martin Curtis, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, said: “It is very encouraging to see that the numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training are coming down.
“It is really important that young people consider their options very carefully and ensure that they have acquired all the necessary qualifications and skills to enable them to compete in the job market. Connexions personal advisers can help with this decision making.”
Ensuring all children and young people have a sure start in life and an equal opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential within their families and communities is a key priority of Cambridgeshire's Vision, the Countywide Sustainable Community Strategy