It is simply wrong that young people are being denied training opportunities. An urgent review is required into of the number of young people who are missing out on training, which can have a significant negative impact on their future life chances. Young people who cannot gain admission to further education colleges for traineeships, are also unable to get onto Skills for Life and Work Programmes, because they may have an E in Maths or English, or level 2s in some OCNs.

These factors are leaving a substantial number of young people without training opportunities and create barriers for young people regarding further educational opportunities and development. The Workers Party believes that every young person deserves the right to fulfil their full potential, through third level education, modern apprenticeships, skills for life and employment programmes. Our young people should never be left in limbo in this manner.

The Economy Minister holds the responsibility for these programmes needs to take action now to fix the system which is clearly not fit for purpose, and make sure that young people, predominantly from working-class communities, get every opportunity to flourish in their chosen field.