20-11-2007
Expert highlights importance of vocational skills
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Workplace progression for young people is dependent upon the tuition of vocational skills, an expert has claimed.
Charlotte Moore-Bick, a senior policy adviser for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called for an increase in the compulsory age of participation to ensure that young adults engage in either compulsory training or further education until they become 18.
At present, data released by the Independent shows that of those between the ages of 16 and 18, ten per cent are not only unemployed, but are also not engaging in any form of training or education.
"Strictly speaking, it is not the school leaving age, it's raising the compulsory participation age so that it's not just about keeping young people in school," said Ms Moore-Bick.
"If they are working more than 20 hours a week, employers will be required to give them a day off a week for training," she added.
The BCC is structured to operate outside of the realm of politics and is funded on a not-for-profit basis.