'More training opportunities needed for young people'

18:02 19th February 2009

More training opportunities are needed for young people to ensure that those who are less gifted in the classroom can gain necessary skills, according to the Children's Society.

Penny Nicholls, director of children and young people for the organisation, said that nearly ten per cent of young people are not currently in education or any kind of training programme.

She said that young people are more likely to be able to find employment in the current economic climate if they have better access to training that suits them as individuals.

Ms Nicholls said: "Clearly that's the real issue for those children and young people who maybe are not likely to reach the attainment level in terms of academic attainment."

Better access to computer training and IT courses could also inspire a greater number of young people to seek programming careers or other jobs in the IT sector.

The Children's Society found that over 20 per cent of 17 to 19-year-olds say that the wider economic problems are making it difficult to find a job.