West Yorkshire has a growing young and diverse population. Young people are the region’s superpower – if we unlock their talents, ideas and passion for change, then social and economic benefits will follow.
However, currently too many young people do not receive the right support or opportunities to meet their potential. Across national averages, West Yorkshire young people are less likely to leave education with qualifications at 19; they are more likely to be out of education, employment or training; less likely to secure an apprenticeship particularly if they are from an ethnic minority; and they are more likely to be unemployed by 24. This is unacceptable and young people deserve better.
Locally, there are pockets of significant progress and success for young people.
Meeting the ambition for the Region of Learning and Creativity for young people will require significant join up around areas of best practice; increased integration of services working together not in competition; and further investment supported by deeper devolution.
The next decade will continue to present complex challenges, heavily shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, technological shifts and economic pressures. The ambition set out here will not seek to address every issue facing young people. But it will set out a commitment through the West Yorkshire Promise to deliver the aspirational, high-quality, joined up support young people deserve to help them be resilient and deliver the innovative potential they offer the region.
This is also a commitment to work with young people and increase the mechanisms through which the Combined and local authorities listen to young people and design solutions with them.
This pillar sets out how the Combined Authority, with local authorities, providers and employers, will need to align our programmes and priorities to give young people the confidence, skills and experience to succeed.
Careers are no longer linear nor predictable. People want careers and skills services which are easy to access, responsive and connect them to opportunities where they live. Furthermore, there are too many transition points, particularly for young people aged 16-19. Disjointed funding, legal responsibilities and lack of data sharing creates a fragile system where the vulnerable young people fall through the cracks.
We welcome that the government has indicated that Combined Authorities should have an increasing role in local integration of the skills system to better meet local labour market needs. Through regional partnerships and local delivery, we have the potential to support someone with their journey end-to-end – through aspiration, information, re-skilling, up-skilling and securing employment or entrepreneurship – where boundaries don’t impact opportunity. But to make sure people do not fall through the cracks and to fully meet the ambition our region has, we are seeking further devolution. Particularly:
