London context
One in four economically active young adults in London is unemployed, compared to the average of one in ten for all working-age adults(xviii).
31% of young people identify learning new skills as one of the top three reasons for engaging in cultural activities(xix).
91% of IdeasTap members have worked for free during their career(xx).
One in twenty 16-18 years olds in London is Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs). This is a "generation of young people left hanging at the margins"(xxi).
Almost one in five young people feel they have no future due to the recession(xxii). This anxiety is underpinned by concerns over unemployment.
Careers guidance has been of inconsistent quality since the statutory duty to provide it was given to schools in 2011.
Four in ten London jobs require degree-level skills(xxiv).
The potential of cultural education
Developing skills and attitudes for today's jobs. The Mayor's Education Inquiry identified attitudinal characteristics, like resilience and willingness to experiment as crucial for businesses.
Providing real on-the-job training through expanding apprenticeships and paid internships in the cultural sector.
Providing alternative qualifications and routes into careers, such as Arts Award.
"Many young people who are not in education, employment or training have had poor previous experiences of education. They will need to be convinced of the relevance and benefit of learning to their lives" Mayor of London's Education Inquiry
Partnership examples
CREATE Jobs provides apprenticeships and work experience for young people, promoting diversity in the sector and employability.
Livity's LIVE Magazine is written by young people, who are mentored by professionals from the Guardian, Metro, Time Out, and the BBC to provide skills, experience, qualifications and routes into employment or education.
