The APPG for Youth Employment hosted a debated in parliament this week to look at the impact of inequality on young women’s economic inactivity.
Emma Mckay from Young Women’s Trust presented to the group. Young Women’s Trust recently secured funding to research the issue of young women’s unemployment. Although the research project is not yet complete Emma was able to share some of the research key findings with the group.
In the first quarter of this year there were 182,000 economically inactive men in that age group (16-24), but the majority – 303,000 – were women.
The issue of youth unemployment is a complex one, the issue of young women’s unemployment even more so. We heard from Sam McGuirk from The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) who told us that employer members of AGR want to recruit graduate women, that they have a clear mandate to do so, yet they receive fewer applicants from women than men. This is despite more female graduates than male graduates.
A discussion followed raising the question for the need of flexible working, and the increase of part-time opportunities especially around apprenticeships. Not just to suit young women who may have started a family but also all to support people with caring responsibilities, hobbies and interests outside of work are important too. If the work is getting done do the hours and location always matter?
You can read the full meeting minutes on the APPG website (available soon).
You can read more about the research project from Young Women’s Trust HERE. YEUK will also be looking at how we can support in disseminating the report once it is finished.
AGR’s research will be available later this year.
Thank you to our Community Members and Young Members for attending a great meeting.
Thank you to the MP’s who were able to commit to and attend the meeting at a very busy time in Westminster.
