Report urges action to tackle high youth unemployment
A new council report is calling for a 'one stop shop ' to help employers showcase work opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds.
It is one of 10 recommendations outlined in Birmingham City Council 's new report, Breaking Down Barriers: Working Towards Birmingham's Future.
The report, which Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has contributed to, calls for urgent action in order to quell Birmingham 's high youth unemployment rate.
Birmingham's youth unemployment has risen significantly during the pandemic from 6.3 per cent in February 2020 to 11.6 per cent by March 2021, with almost one in five economically active 18 to 24 year olds out of work.
Birmingham City Council asked 2,000 young people from communities across the city, plus a range of partners in education, business and other frontline services, to develop an urgent 10-point action plan which aims to prevent a new 'crisis cohort ' facing long-term damage to their careers and lives.
Many of the young people surveyed told of economic hardship, mental health challenges and growing fears for the future, while others did not feel they had the skills and knowledge needed to kickstart their careers..
The report 's 10 recommended key actions include:
- Reducing the cost of public transport for 16-18-year-olds
- Reshaping careers advice and guidance services
- Creating a 'one stop shop ' in the form of an online hub helping employers provide and showcase opportunities for 16-24-year-olds looking for work experience and employment opportunities.
- Supporting young people 's mental health
- Developing a comprehensive city-wide mentoring scheme
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the report 's publication and recommendations, saying that research is clear that businesses require young people to fulfil their strategic objectives.
She said: “The Chamber is proud to have contributed to this report with the views of businesses across Birmingham. Our city has one of the youngest and most diverse populations of any city in the UK, but young people in the city have been among those hit hardest by the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The research is clear; the majority of businesses are confident that young people in Birmingham have the talent they need to fulfil their strategic objectives. However, many identify requiring greater understanding of the support available and a focused approach to accessing young talent.
“We believe that implementation of the recommendations highlighted in this report could make a direct positive impact on ensuring young people from across the city-region are able to access to the opportunities that they need to thrive while giving employers the skills and talent they need to succeed.
“We look forward to continuing to work with businesses, Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders to keep this great region on a course to an economic recovery that brings our young people with us.
“I highly encourage businesses seeking support to bring new and young talent on board to virtually attend our upcoming webinars on making the most of the government 's Kickstart scheme and Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes. ”
The delivery of recommendations of this report will now be overseen by the a new Employment Taskforce, with progress monitored by the Council 's Cabinet.
The report can be found here.
Find out more on recruitment and kickstarting business recovery, via the Chamber's upcoming range of webinars:
- Funded Support to Tackle Recruitment Challenges, 29 July, 12pm-1pm (click here)
- Kickstarting a Business Recovery, 3 August, 11am-12pm (click here)
Pictured: Birmingham City Council house