NIACE welcomes new report on young people Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 11:10

NIACE welcomes a report - Hidden Talents II - supporting Learning Through Life's message to recognise 25 as the new transition point for young people, launched by the Local Government Association (LGA) and The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), on Thursday 22 October 2009.

Tom Schuller, Director of the Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning, said:

"Hidden Talents II highlights just how unhelpful the artificial age boundaries at 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 can be for young people finding their paths to adulthood. We recognise this in Learning Through Life - the report of the NIACE-sponsored Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning - and endorse the LGA's proposal to look at the period up to age 25 as a coherent first phase."

"Young people now regularly stay at home longer, especially young men, but leave at around age 25. Most offenders have stopped offending by their mid-twenties and need a clear transition to socially integrated adulthood. Recognising 25 as a transition point would help us support young people more effectively and more fairly in accomplishing their transitions to adulthood, and help their families, communities and employers too. Entitlements to learning support should be tailored to fit this new approach to the educational lifecourse."