260,000 young people are growing up in a home where no-one has ever worked

Tim Montgomerie

Last week I republished a scary graph on Labour's record in education.

How about this from today's Sun on youth unemployment blackspots:..?

The map shows the UK's twenty worst "blackspots for jobless young Britons". 250,000 young people are growing up in a home where no-one has ever worked and 600,000 young people have not worked since leaving education.

Chris Grayling, Employment Minister, has today launched an initiative to give the long-term unemployed some experience of work:

"Our new work experience scheme will give young people the chance to get valuable experience in a business for up to two months, which will make a real difference to their confidence, their employability and their prospects. This Government is making the changes that will give young people access to jobs and opportunities that can help them towards a brighter future."

Homebase, Hilton Hotels, McDonalds, ISS Facilities Management, Chums, De Vere Hotels, Carillion, Coyle Personnel and Punch Taverns have already signed up to give young people eight weeks of work experience while they stay on benefits. More on the DWP website.

For me one of the most exciting planks in the Coalition's programme for young people is the planned expansion in the number of apprenticeships. Ken Baker's technical colleges also promise another step towards Cameron's German-isation of our training system. Today's FT (£) reports on the ambition of John Hayes MP, Skills Minister, for a return to guilds of master craftsmen:

"Sector skills councils, trade bodies that design professional qualifications, will take on the role of the guild. They will accredit a new range of higher skills qualifications and recognise companies that train employees to a high level. Such companies will be given the status of incubators of master craftsmen. Accreditation as an employer and trainer of highly skilled people could be a valuable marketing device, Mr Hayes said."