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More Choices, More Chances

Engagement and Opportunities for Young People Not in Employment, Education or Training
More Choices, More Chances

Tuesday 9th March 2010

Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh


Conference chair:
Keynote speakers:
Also presenting:


There are currently in the region of 32,000 young people in Scotland not in education, employment or training (NEET).  This major conference will bring together policy makers, practitioners and partners to look at support mechanisms and opportunities for the current ‘lost generation’, along with positive interventions for children now to reduce the long term growth of this group.

In 2006 the Scottish Government launched More Choices, More Chances – a strategy aimed at reducing the estimated 13.5% of the youth population between the ages of 16 and 19 who fall into this NEET category.

The More Choices strategy identified the link between those not in education, employment and training and those living in disadvantaged communities with particularly vulnerable subgroups being: care leavers, young offenders, young parents, truants, those young people with physical / mental disabilities and young people with substance misuse problems.  

The human cost of these lives in limbo is significant, as is the cost to Scotland’s economy. Academics estimate that young jobless cost the Scottish economy £7 billion a year as a result of crime, lost productivity and educational under-achievement. Research in England this year suggests that those young people in this category run the risk of premature death and health risk factors such as alcohol and substance misuse.  In order to reduce the numbers out with employment, education or training in Scotland, a cross-policy approach will be necessary linking up the More Choices, More Chances strategy with other priorities in health, education and employment.

Despite investment and commitment to the More Choices agenda in Scotland and the rest of the UK, the issue remains unresolved and figures show the recession is impacting heavily on this group.  Providing the right opportunities, support mechanisms and partnerships to help those out with employment, education and training will require strategies for increased engagement and strong partnerships between public bodies, local authorities and third sector service providers.

This conference will be a vital opportunity to hear from policy makers and key partners looking at best practice examples and the shape of future policy.

Key topics:
  • Progress on the 2006 More Choices, More Chances strategy
  • Assessing the impact of recession on this group and ways to tackle unemployment for this group
  • Key interventions in the Skills Strategy and GIRFEC agenda to tackle high levels of young people not reaching their potential
  • The role of Local Authorities in challenging increasing engagement and opportunities in schools
  • UK government funded employment places and how they are being utilised
  • Ways of enhancing engagement in education
  • Creating tailored programmes for the hard to reach
  • Projects working specifically with those in care
  • Sustainable programmes for those who need them
  • Improving partnerships between local authorities, third sector organisations and private companies working with excluded and marginalised young people
  • Engaging with the at risk and vulnerable

While we are pulling together the final agenda for this event please register your interest below. Alternatively you can take advantage of our early bird discount by booking your place now.

If you have any questions, or wish to add your thoughts to what should be included, please email us or call us on 0131 272 2133

We look forward to seeing you at this key event.


Conference development by: Fiona King

 
  
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