Unskilled Vacancies Drop - 16 to 24 Year Olds Suffer Most

The latest report sent out by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development shows sad news. There is a significant decrease in the amount of available work for unskilled workers in the 16 to 24 age group. This accompanied announcements that general youth unemployment saw an increase to 14% from its former stance of 11% in 2002.

Only 45% of youths with "low skill" were able to find employment within a year of dropping out. The only good news is that there seems to be a good decrease in their long-term unemployment, as that figure is only 16% from its former point at 23% in 1997.

This trend may be temporary though as it has reversed before. The current market favors youths who have proper education credentials. The report found that students with five good GCSEs will be able to find jobs with much less pressure. Nearly 67% were able to get one within a year of leaving school. Conversely, students who dropout with poor qualifications will only have a 45% chance of finding work in a year. Their analysis also shows that things will only get worse as they grow older. This is an understandable change as the economy shifts toward skilled labor in technological fields.

Yet the number of youths with poor qualifications is growing. Only 11.6% of youths were not receiving training or education in the last count at 1997. That number has risen to 13% for this study. Many of these men and women will unfortunately find themselves trapped in cycles of unsatisfactory jobs without any chance of advancement.

There is a new plan for change though. This report fully supported the plan proposed by the Westminster government. This plan proposed a Diploma qualification introduced in England along with further focus placed upon practical workplace skills. This plan also will increase the dropout age to 18 for all education and training establishments.

The judgment is based on the estimated 678,000 job openings that still leave so many youth without work. Lacking the necessary skills is the single biggest problem causing this. Their plan for better training and education seeks to help bridge this unemployment gap.

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