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YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT WARNING ISSUED

ABOVE: Prince's Trust has issued warning over youth unemployment

8th February 2010

The UK could miss out on thousands of future nurses, plumbers and teachers because of the level of youth unemployment, a new report has claimed.

The Prince's Trust said thousands of potential mechanics, social workers and entrepreneurs could also be lost if young people could not fulfil their career ambitions.

A survey by the charity of more than 1,000 people aged 16 to 24 found that many were finding it hard to get a job, often because of money problems.

Two out of five of those questioned said they couldn't afford to buy smart clothes for a job interview and over half thought they would never be able to buy their own home.

Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Prince's Trust said: "Britain cannot afford to stifle its young talent. We must invest in young people now, giving them all the chance to achieve their ambitions and become the key workers of the future.

"Every one of Britain's unemployed young people has skills and talents that could make a real difference to this country. Only by investing in young people can we ensure this undiscovered generation isn't lost forever."

Youngsters out of work for over a year were significantly less optimistic than those who have been unemployed for less than six months, according to the report.

The long-term unemployed were nearly twice as likely to fear that they "will never amount to anything", and three times as likely to believe they don't have any skills or talents, while two out of five were not hopeful about finding a job in the next six months.

Employment minister Jim Knight said: "I agree with the Prince's Trust that we must ensure our young people have all the help necessary to get into work.

"We know from past recessions that long term youth unemployment is particularly damaging. This is why we have introduced an unprecedented guarantee of an offer of a job, training or work experience for every young person who spends six months or more unemployed and on benefits. As a result of our work, and the efforts of employers, 80% of young people get back into work within six months of becoming unemployed."