A Northern Ireland independent public policy think tank, published a report last week on what opportunities and challenges exist to support young people in developing skills for a modern workforce. The report outlines the wider economic context that influences skills and training for the 14-19 age group. In the process it lays bare the stark poverty figures in Northern Ireland.
The report makes for sobering reading. I have attached a copy here, but in summary…
Northern Ireland has some of the lowest levels of high paid jobs and productivity of any UK region. Northern Ireland has the lowest employment and highest unemployment rates and the highest inactivity rate of all UK regions. We have the highest level of low paid jobs in the UK. Research found that 1 in 4 jobs were paid below the real living wage in 2020, equating to approximately 240,000 jobs in the economy of Northern Ireland. 70% of young people aged 18-21 are in roles that are below the real living wage. The levels of youth unemployment (11.5%), according to the report, are concerning as sectors which employ high levels of young people have been most affected by the pandemic – presumably a reference to the hospitality and leisure sectors. Prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, 10.2% of young people aged 16-24 were classed as not in Education, Employment or Training.
The think tank, Pivotal, is going to produce a report in the new year which will include a closer look at educational inequalities and disengagement amongst young people in Northern Ireland, but a few things stood out in this month’s report. Most notably, there are numerous factors relating to disengagement amongst young people in education & training. Most of these factors are related, in some way, to poverty and inequality of opportunity. For example, a family history of economic inactivity, health and wellbeing opportunities – including mental health, and housing difficulties are all listed.
The report also points out that strategies in Northern Ireland are generally based on the assumption that young people are prepared and ready to engage. This is not the case and this issue of social and educational disengagement must be considered during the design of future strategies.
I know first hand that there is a link between poverty and educational opportunities and attainment. I was in secondary school during the economic recession of the late 80s and early 90s. My dad lost his job and wasn’t to work again for four years. He was ‘too old’ and too qualified for most available jobs. When he did get a job it was in a much less skilled industry with much less pay. In fact he went from working for a construction company as the Northern Ireland Section Leader of a team of draftsmen (drawing designs for construction – similar to an architect) to working with me in an M & S warehouse!
Teenage years on free school meals were difficult, but I was lucky enough that my situation forced me to work hard to get my A-levels, whilst, like many people, holding down a part-time job. I cleaned offices for a while at 14 years old, before getting a job as a dishwasher at 16. The jobs gave me independence and meant I didn’t need to ask for anything or add to the family distress. When I successfully got into Queen’s University, I landed that M&S job which enabled me to, along with my grant, keep financially afloat and actually pay money into the family home.
The truth is, because of our financial circumstances, leaving NI and going to university across the water or across the border was simply not possible. In the end I went to university in Belfast and continued to live at home. So, I know first hand the link between poverty and opportunity. This is nothing new. Now, in the 21st century, we really must come up with innovative strategies to address the inequality of opportunity.
Prior to the welfare changes and the introduction of Universal Credit the Northern Ireland Children’s’ Commissioner reported that there were 444,000 children in Northern Ireland and that 103,400 of these children lived in poverty. This figure is suspected to be higher now owing to UC. 61% live in households with at least one parent who is working – what we would call, “the working poor”.
According to NICC, this is “is almost 1 in every 4 children in Northern Ireland living in a family which struggles to provide for their basic needs, providing a warm, adequate home, nutritious food, appropriate clothing and pay for childcare costs. Children whose parents often have to get into debt to pay to make ends meet and do not have the means to save money for unexpected costs or family outings.”
The NICCY website also tells us: “Children in poverty are twice as likely to leave school without 5 good GCSEs. They are also more likely to suffer poor mental health and have fewer years of good physical health.” Crucially, however, according to NICCY, “child poverty is not inevitable… If government create and put the right policies in place, child poverty can be eradicated.”
A focussed and innovative strategy to lift people – particularly young families and the working poor – out of poverty, is now long overdue.
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