Though youth unemployment has continued to fall, at 16% it remains three times the adult rate – but many more young people still can’t get the jobs that they want. Young people have been encouraged to continue to higher education, yet qualifications buy less and less and thousands remain ‘underemployed’. This study provides both an … Continue reading New e-book Hard Labour: young people moving into work in difficult times
‘Living within our means’
‘Living within our means’ has become a cliché of late. George Osborne continues to espouse it as justification for austerity policies, but Labour’s new shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s apparent endorsement of George Osborne’s ‘ Fiscal Charter’ which commits governments to achieve balanced budgets over a 5 year parliamentary cycle, may seem perplexing; given his clear … Continue reading ‘Living within our means’
The problem’s the jobs, not the people who do them.
Deputy Governor of the Bank of England Ben Broadbent thinks the growth of low-skilled and low paid-employment can be related to the increased availability of low skilled workers from different parts of Europe. (Guardian 24/09/15). Not only has this kept wage levels depressed, Broadbent argues, but it is also a reason why ‘human capital’ –the … Continue reading The problem’s the jobs, not the people who do them.
Under-Grads, NEETs and the Apprenticeship Levy
The Certified Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) considered one the leading commentators on skill development and the labour market, has just published an extensive report about the ‘mismatch’ between graduates and the work they do. http://www.cipd.co.uk/publicpolicy/policy-reports/overqualification-skills-mismatch-graduate-labour-market.aspx CIPD estimates that 58% of graduates are now underemployed, doing work for which they are over qualified –even … Continue reading Under-Grads, NEETs and the Apprenticeship Levy
As A-level juggernaut rolls on, is it really ‘university or apprenticeships’?
With A-level results announced earlier in the day, UCAS reported 409 000 successful university placements – up 3% against A level results day in 2014 and including 362,000 students accepted to their first choice. The 5% increase in 18 year olds and a 2% growth in those 19 has been at the expense of older students. There’s … Continue reading As A-level juggernaut rolls on, is it really ‘university or apprenticeships’?
Unemployment rises as labour market tightens
Monthly figures from the ONS show the labour market tightening. Average wages have also edged up 2.4% and with inflation at almost zero this represents a real increase in income, though many low paid workers continue to miss out on an annual pay rise. The total number in employment falling by 63 000 and the unemployment rate … Continue reading Unemployment rises as labour market tightens
The Coming of Age for FE ?
Patrick Ainley reviews Ann Hodgson (ed) (2015) The Coming of Age for FE? Reflections on the past and the future role of further education colleges in England. London: Institute of Education Press. £24.99. Pp.223 Clifford P. Harbour (2015) John Dewey and the Future of Community College Education. London: Bloomsbury. £17.99. Pp.178 Read the Post-16 … Continue reading The Coming of Age for FE ?
Apprenticeship starts well below Cameron’s target
Figures released by the Skills Funding Agency at the end of June, show just 375 000 apprenticeship starts for the 9 months between August 2014 and April 2015. Only 100 000 of the new starts are by young people under 19 and another 125 000 by those aged 19-24. In otherwords, 4 out of 10 starts … Continue reading Apprenticeship starts well below Cameron’s target
CBI’s curriculum proposals. A step forward, but big questions remain
The CBI’s John Cridland has re-opened the debate about the 14-19 curriculum. http://news.cbi.org.uk/news/john-cridland-festival-of-education-speech/ Cridland has called for GCSE to be abolished within 5 years ‘High-stakes exams at 16 are from a bygone era’ and, in a further swipe at the Gove/Morgan examination reforms, for the status of vocational learning to be upgraded. ‘For too … Continue reading CBI’s curriculum proposals. A step forward, but big questions remain
Low-paid, zero hours jobs won’t close Osborne’s deficit
If George Osborne’s proposed legislation to make budget deficits ‘illegal’ goes ahead, then public services will no longer be able to be expanded as a way of stimulating future economic growth and activity. Or at least, it will be up to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to decide whether ‘exceptional circumstances’ allow this to … Continue reading Low-paid, zero hours jobs won’t close Osborne’s deficit
Education, Economy and Society 