Response to Labour Market Figures

Thursday 19th January 2012

“The Programme for Government presents a key opportunity for the Executive to show us that it is serious about tackling the growing issue of youth unemployment in Northern Ireland.

“Whatever the out workings are connected to the planned scrapping of the Department for Employment and Learning, the focus on ‘NEET’ young people who are not in education, employment or training – like all of the young people participating on the Give and Take Scheme - should not only be maintained but increased.

“One government department must give strong ministerial leadership to addressing the issue of young people not in education, training or employment in the context of the Pathways to Success Strategy, while all other relevant government departments must place it high on their priority list over the next five years.

“The Give and Take Scheme is committed to helping the most hard to reach young people across Northern Ireland, get closer to employment. We are asking that government make a specific high level commitment to do the same.”