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Raising the school leaving or ‘participation’ age
You may, or may not be aware, that new legislation is currently working its way through Parliament – it will require all young people to stay in either education or training until the age of 17 by 2013, and 18 by 2015.
Young people will be able to choose from:
•    Full time education such as school or college.
•    Work based learning such as an apprenticeship or a job offering recognised qualifications
•    Part time education or training if they are employed, self employed or volunteering more that 20 hours per week.
Making teenagers stay on is seen by the Government as essential in improving young people’s skills amid growing global competition. Government Minister Ed Balls commented “In today’s fast changing dynamic world, everyone needs skills to prosper. The days where many young people could leave school at 16 without qualifications and work their way up into a fulfilling career are behind us. Continuing in learning for longer will bring benefits for individuals, the economy and society.”
Employers who don’t currently provide training leading to recognised qualifications will be required to ‘take all reasonable steps’ to ensure that the young person has made arrangements for training and education. They will also need to provide time off for the young person to the equivalent of one day a week.
So how will this new legislation affect your business? Will this deter you from recruiting 16 and 17 year olds?
For more information visit www.dfes.gov.uk/

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