Young Women’s Trust responds to the Government’s plans to address the rising number of young people not in education, training or employment.
Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive at Young Women’s Trust, said:
“The fact that record numbers of young women are unable to contribute to our economy is not an ambition problem, it’s an opportunity problem. Young women experience higher rates of economic inactivity than young men and face barriers that are gendered, from caring responsibilities to worse mental health, but our employment system has been too slow to adapt to the realities of their lives. Young women are also more likely to work in sectors exposed to AI automation and less likely to benefit from jobs in growing sectors like tech and green energy.
Expanding vocational training is a positive step, and with greater powers set to be handed to local Mayors there is a real opportunity to build local training routes that advance gender equality rather than reinforce existing barriers. But this must be matched with support to manage mental health issues, jobs and training that are genuinely flexible, and targeted support to build confidence and skills so that young women can access emerging job opportunities.”