Report to the People
School Leavers
In the short time that I have been as MSP, I have been campaigning to widen access to higher and further education. For too long people from a working class background have been excluded from colleges and universities, believing it was not for them. I am therefore pleased that increasing the number of people who continue with their education is a key priority of the Scottish Executive.
What happens to our young adults when they leave school is hugely important. The path of continuing in education leads to increased wealth, broadened horizons and greater job security, while the path of unemployment is beset with poverty, dead ends and powerlessness.
That is why we must continue to support our young people as they reach school leaving age, encourage them to discuss their future and make sure they are fully aware of the choices which are open to them.
Last week, the Renfrewshire Careers Partnership sent me a copy of their latest report on School Leavers Destinations which, to be frank, made disappointing reading.
In 1998 - 99, 14% of school leavers in Inverclyde swapped the classroom for the dole queue. This is double the figure in the leafy suburbs of East Renfrewshire and above the national average of 11%. 50% of school leavers in East Renfrewshire go straight on to higher education, nearly double the 28% of Inverclyde school leavers who do so.
On closer inspection, however, a more interesting picture emerges. 21% of those leaving school in Inverclyde go straight into further education. The Scotland wide figure is only 18%. Perhaps it is because our young people have a well-respected FE college nearby, or perhaps it is seen as an accessible first step towards university. For young people who will be the first in their family to continue education beyond school, FE colleges can be a bridge between school and university.
Why is it then, that in Inverclyde, the manufacturing capital of Scotland, there is this level of youth unemployment? How can we work with major employers to ensure that our young people leave school with skills relevant for today’s workplace? How can the government, business, schools and the Careers Service work together to give school leavers skills the best chance in life?
I look forward to engaging in this debate in the coming weeks and months.
I expect to see the more and more young people from Inverclyde leaving school and going straight to university. Our work in the Scottish Parliament will see to that. However, we must also continue to help the core of school leavers who cannot find work.
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