Think tank calls for work internships for Neets

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

A ‘non-graduate talent pool’ would benefit business, the economy and at-risk young people including Neets (not in employment, education or training), according to new research.

Think tank Demos is calling for a reward scheme for employers to help get disadvantaged young people into work placements normally dominated by the middle classes.

Access all areas says a ‘pay-back’ scheme should be offered to businesses that offer quality internships to Neets, young offenders and care leavers, if the intern secures stable employment within a year of completing their placement.

Demos suggests rewarding employers with between £1,000 and £5,000 for every successful intern who moves from welfare into work would help mitigate the £120,000 each Neet costs the state annually.

The report, published by the Foyer Federation, also recommends reviewing Job Seeker’s Allowance to ensure the system does not disincentivise young people, and introducing a nationwide internship network allowing companies to share experiences of working with disadvantaged young people.

Demos director and report co-author Julia Margo said: ‘Internships are about who you know and what you know – you need contacts and qualifications. But they should be seen primarily as a way to learn.

‘Getting at-risk young people into internships will go a long way to giving them the opportunities and aspirations open to middle class graduates – we should think of them as a “non-graduate talent pool”.’

Foyer Federation chief executive Jane Slowey added: ‘Targeted investment in talent-building approaches can reap significant returns and benefits by helping young people and their services and communities, to unlock unused potential.’

  • Research by the IPPR and the Private Equity Foundation published today reveals that A-level students have seen their chances of becoming a Neet increase by more than 40% since the onset of the recession. Graduates’ risk has risen by 50% in the last two years, while over a third (36.1%) of young people who left school without qualifications are now categorised as Neets.