The Yorkshire Evening Post and Leeds Community Foundation have organised a summit to discuss youth unemployment in Leeds.
Nationally, and in Leeds, youth unemployment rates are dropping but the city’s policy makers are being urged to do more.
Leeds figures show the number of 16-24-year-olds claiming job seekers’ allowance (JSA) has reduced by nearly 32 per cent over the past year.
Community leaders and prominent figureheads from the public and private sectors will meet next Thursday to discuss what measures can be taken now to address the issue and stamp it out in the city.
Statistics also show the rate of NEETs – Not in Education, Employment or Training – is improving in Leeds, falling from 10 per cent in 2007 to 6.7 per cent in 2013 – but remains above the national average of 5.3 per cent.
Gary Blake, of Voluntary Action Leeds, has been working on the Young Lives Leeds NEET research to explore the issue. Of the 315 young people interviewed in Leeds, over half said “lack of experience” was the main barrier to getting work.
44% said that they required more “advice about applying for jobs” to help get them into work.
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