News focus: Do the maths

Aug 20 2009 by John Avison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“This is the immediate problem with unemployment. It’s unbelievable this problem has not been addressed, because it has been known about for years.

“The majority of Neets in Huddersfield are from poor, depressed areas. They have no self-esteem and no aspirations.

“These youngsters will never go to university and can’t be apprenticed or trained because they lack basic personal skills.

“Their numbers are growing. This is where the real problems lie.

“It is a fact that in a recession, jobs, apprenticeships and training are harder to come by.

“But for some youngsters, going to university is a time-waster, done with the hope that the recession will have passed by the time they finish studying.

“A student’s debt in England at the end of their time in university now averages £23,000.

“This is a very sorry state of affairs, and it means that people are entering their careers negatively, in debt, not with optimism or a clear slate.”

President of Huddersfield University’s Student Union, Junaid Ejaz, agreed that in the short term, many students were choosing to weather the current crisis by taking postgraduate courses.

In the long term, the government’s plan to further increase tuition fees by £2-3,000 a year could have a devastating effect on students.

“One way many universities and colleges may deal with this is to offer more vocational degrees, on-the-job training or to monitor apprenticeships,” he said.

“Some may find it a big advantage financially to come into university after accumulating experience in full time work.

“So many people in Neet is a nightmare. It’s down to the economic crisis, not the education system.

“Huddersfield is already a very practical, hands-on university, and this will make Huddersfield a more attractive place to take a degree in the future.

“But I think all higher education centres will have to become more practical, rather than academic, in what they offer.”

The Rastrick father of a graduate said his daughter had completely failed to find a job, or even volunteer work, after leaving university last year with a degree in history.

She had now decided to return to post-graduate studies in the hope of boosting her qualifications and giving herself a better chance in the jobs market.

“She is by no means alone,” said the father. “Many of her graduate friends have found themselves in the same situation, and there’s little prospect at the moment of anything improving.”