Lost talent warning over jobless

In what is claimed to be the largest survey ever of young people in the UK not in employment, education or training (NEETs), the Prince's Trust and Citi Foundation warn that Yorkshire could be sacrificing 4,500 potential social work and nurse posts, 6,000 teaching positions and 1,000 chefs' jobs, if young people are unable to fulfil their career aspirations.

Their study suggested that 3,500 potential entrepreneurs, 500 mechanics and 1,500 doctors may also be lost and said about 32,000 young people were being forced to cut back on essentials such as food and heating to make ends meet.

Peter Branson, regional director for the Prince's Trust in Yorkshire, said: "Yorkshire cannot afford to stifle its young talent.

"We must invest in young people now, giving them all the chance to achieve their ambitions and become the key workers of the future.

"Every one of Yorkshire's unemployed young people has skills and talents that could make a real difference to this region. Only by investing in young people can we ensure this undiscovered generation isn't lost forever."

The data reveals Yorkshire youths are more pessimistic about their chances than many young people elsewhere in the country.

Based on interviews with 16-24-year-old NEETs, researchers found almost 37,000 young people in the region fear they will never have enough money to provide for themselves or their children and 32 per cent of those surveyed fear they'll get into so much debt that they'll lose everything, while 53 per cent worry they'll never be able to afford their own home.

The report also found that those out of work for more than 12 months were nearly twice as likely to fear that they "will never amount to anything" and three times as likely to believe that they don't have any skills or talents.

Forty per cent of long-term unemployed young people don't think they'll find jobs in the next six months.

Only young people in the North West were less optimistic, where 38,500 said they had cut back on food and heating bills, and 44,500 feared they could not support themselves or their families.

The research comes as youth charity the Prince's Trust begins a campaign to support thousands of unemployed young people.

The Undiscovered campaign calls for Government, businesses and individuals to help the charity raise 1m a week to support unemployed and disadvantaged young people.

Earlier this month, the Prince's Trust YouGov Youth Index 2010 warned that unemployed young people could face lifetimes of poorer health and less happiness.

The index revealed that those out of work are significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life than those in work and one in ten young people claim that unemployment drove them to drugs or alcohol.

Trust course leads to renewed hopes

Yorkshire teenager Stephanie Hutchinson grew up dreaming of being a doctor but after suffering illness and bullying at school her grades suffered.

After leaving school the 18-year-old from Barnsley went to work for a small local shop but was forced to start job hunting when the business closed.

A lack of qualifications or experience held her back and she struggled to find work for more than a year.

"The job market was really tough," she said. "Because of the recession there wasn't much around and the jobs that were there were going to people with loads of experience.

"I lived by myself so it can be difficult surviving on the dole. It was a struggle and I did worry about getting into debt."

Miss Hutchinson went to the Prince's Trust and signed up for a 12-week course that improved her confidence and led to a City and Guilds qualification.

After helping the Trust, she is going to college and plans to go to university.