Member Article

Youth unemployment is a serious issue say local training experts

Finding jobs for young people in Teesside is still an uphill struggle according to a local training expert.

Managing Director of the TTE Technical Training Group Steve Grant issued a statement after the Work Foundation report showed that almost 20% of 16-24 year olds in Teesside are out of work.

The UK average for youth unemployment is 16%, and Middlesbrough joins North East Sunderland and Newcastle as areas considered to have especially high unemployment.

He commented: “Middlesbrough’s appearance as a UK blackspot for Neets sends a stark message across Teesside that efforts have to be increased to help young people.

“The current employment market is tough, but we have to look beyond the short-term to ensure there are enough skilled, competent and motivated new entrants to industry.”

TTE offers a portfolio of apprenticeship programmes to support the oil, gas, manufacturing and process industries. This year they received more than double the amount of applications available on its training programmes – indicative of the problem in the area.

Mr Grant continued: “ Although many employers in the Teesside area are committed to developing young people by providing apprenticeship opportunities we need more local employers to sponsor apprentices on our trainee programmes.

“Employers that provide sponsorship for apprenticeships can not only make a difference to the lives of young people but help safeguard the pool of skilled workers in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .