A new report by DEMOS, the independent think-tank, entitled Freedom’s Children: Work, Relations and Politics for 18 to 34 year olds warns of increasing alienation caused by the breakdown of relationships, uncertainty in the job market and detachment from the political process. Published on September 25 and debated at a conference on the same day run with the BT Forum, it found a crisis of trust in the workplace, with two thirds of 18 to 34 year olds receiving no training or education over the last year. Based on analysis of data from the British Household Survey and MORI Socioconsult, it also found
fragmenting values and the possibilities of inter-generational conflict;
masculinization of women’s values with a trend toward violence by young women;
increasing alienation among single parents.
Among policy prescriptions are a new deal at work and clarity in public accounting between generations on issues such as pensions. Contact Martin Bartle, DEMOS, on 0171 353 4479 (joanna@demos.demon.co.uk) or Mark Lyons, BT Forum, on 0171 822 1354
YOUNG TRUANTS
Around five per cent of young people truant for days or weeks at a time during their last year at school, according to a detailed survey by the Policy Studies Institute on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment. Truancy and Youth Transitions followed up a sample into later years, finding markedly poorer outcomes in further education, training and employment, as well as a strong link to social and family backgrounds in low income or poor housing. Contact Research Strategy Branch, DFEE, on 0114 2593932
IMPROVING BUSINESS EDUCATION LINKS
Companies are increasingly seeking staff development opportunities from schools link activities, but have often not devised effective ways of evaluating and maximising them. This is one of the findings of a comprehensive guide to better education-business links, based on a two year study into the practices of 50 employers. Making Education our Business: a guide for business was produced by the University of Warwick and funded by Esso and the education and employment departments. The report sets out the rationale for education work and explains how companies can build quality assurance procedures. Copies are available from Cambertown on 01709 888688
WORK EXPERIENCE GUIDES
The Department for Education and Employment has revised two guides to work experience, one for employers, the other for schools. Containing detailed checklists, advice for employers, teachers and parents, along with practical considerations such as insurance and health and safety, the guides are available free. Contact DFEE Publications on 0171 510 0150
YOUNG ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS
A 17 year old student from Sheffield who designed an aerodynamic bicycle wheel is the winner of the 1995 Young Engineers for Britain awards, announced on September 20. Over 1,200 young people entered the award scheme which aims to strengthen links between education and industry by encouraging engineering project work. Principal national sponsors are Lloyd’s Register and GEC. Contact Tony Miller, Young Engineers for Britain, on 0171 240 7891
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SCHOOL
The joint W H Smith/Arts Council biennial Children’s Literature Summer School for teachers, librarians and booksellers took place in Oxford at the end of August. The aim is to emphasise the importance of encouraging children to enjoy teaching. Contact Philip Healy, Westminster College Oxford, on 01865 247644
Comment
The DEMOS report makes grim reading. A generation that has inherited unprecedented freedoms is apparently living in an increasingly unstable environment with chronic relationship breakdown, uncertainty about jobs and profound disconnection from the political process. Companies can act in three ways: first, by examining existing community affairs activities to see whether they are helping to build social cohesion among the young.
Second, it means restoring trust at the workplace, trying to narrow the gap between what young people want from work and what they get. For example, over half want work that creates meaning yet a fifth of C2DE men say recent changes at work have “made their life a misery”. That means investment in training the individual, flexible working and the whole range of issues the BT Forum is promoting.
Third, it means expanding links with schools. But not just for the old reason that schools need help. Rather the reverse. Companies and staff need greater exposure to the values and concerns of the new generation. There’s a revolution going on and companies well integrated in society can a steal a march on competitors. Out-of-touch is out-of-date. Today’s young people are tomorrow’s customers.
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