Recent statistics in a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report that show that nearly half of unemployed people in Wales are aged under 25 are disturbing enough. However, the Welsh Government’s response that tackling the social impact of the recession is a priority does not stand up to scrutiny.
Claiming that 45% of people unemployed in Wales were under 25, the report also said poverty was rising before the recession and warns of a new jobless generation lacking “experience, qualifications and self-belief”.
The study looked at unemployment and found the sharp rise in unemployment only really started in the latter half of 2008, with the average for those six months approaching 100,000 (equivalent to 6.9% of the economically active labour force), a level last seen in 1996.
If we are to get this group of people back to work then it is not just a matter of creating jobs for them. We also need to provide education and training so that they are able to take the opportunities offered as and when they arise.
Yet by the Welsh Government’s own admission those in the 19 to 25 age group are not a priority. As a result colleges are being forced to cut back their post-19 provision.
Isn’t it about time that Labour and Plaid Cymru woke up to the fact that their policies and priorities no longer meet the needs of the Welsh economy and changed them accordingly?
Related posts:
