More training needed to support school-leavers

17:42 18th March 2009

Barnardo's children's charity has called for enhanced training to help young people into work amid the current economic downturn.

The call follows research from the organisation that shows those aged between 16 and 17 years of age have the lowest employment rate and that, during the last 20 years, the number of work-placed training schemes for this age group has fallen by 63 per cent.

Commenting in the wake of the study, Anne Pinney, assistant director in the charity's policy and research unit, said: "Given a second chance - with relevant learning opportunities, the right support and a little belief - [young people] can transform their attitudes and aspirations, achieving more than they ever thought they were capable of."

The research, entitled Second Chances, has prompted the charity to call for more vocational learning places, courses and improved support for those who drop out of school.

Earlier this month, Barnardo's called for an investment of £3 billion to help combat child poverty across the UK.