Warning over youth training cuts
Association of Employment and Learning Providers
Learning providers have said a 17.5% cut in funding will affect the numbers of young people taking up training programmes.
The
Association of Employment and Learning Providers(
AELP) spoke out after a significant reduction in the funding rate for 18 year olds on full-time 16-18 programmes funded by the Education Funding Agency, such as study programmes and new traineeships.
AELPbelieves that the 17.5% cut for full time programmes in 2014-15 will lead to a reduction in the number of young people participating in longer courses which often provide a better opportunity of securing sustainable employment.
AELPchief executive Stewart Segal said:
"In the context of tackling the NEET issue, the funding announcement for 18 year olds is of great concern and
AELPwill be making representations to the Government about it."
The Education Funding Agency is the Government’s delivery agency for funding and compliance, supplying revenue and capital funding for education for learners between the ages of 3 and 19, or the ages of 3 and 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities.
The Government has given assurances that the funding for young people with learning difficulties and those needing support for English and maths will be preserved.
AELPsaid many of the young people on programmes with its members have not been well served by the education system and it "cannot be right to reduce the funding for this group".
The government has suggested that at 18 these young people will not need a full time programme but some of these young people need more time to gain entry to the job market with the right skills and attitudes.
AELPsaid training providers with strong employer links offer fresh hope to disaffected young people who have dropped out of traditional classroom learning and are seeking an alternative work based learning route.
"Providers are rolling out high quality programmes which include real work experience opportunities and remedial teaching of English and maths, and yet this cut could be a barrier to develop programmes that have the potential to turn around the lives of thousands of young people,” Segal said.
