YOUNG FABIANS LAUNCH ‘YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT PROJECT' from David Steele
The Young Fabians, explaining their motir. project, had this to say in the opnieing Reto aieg Speen gseey
"Insufficient is known about the size and nature of the problem of A Sg ina geek can be made from nationally published
© ve WO e a i pau Na packets arpreasting the figures and find out more
"The short term problem needs to be separated from the more deep seated long term structural difficulties. Short term fluctuations in trade have always hit the depressed regions harder that the rest, Young people feel the blow as much as older workers in these regions, .though they are probably more adaptable. However, even when trade improves, the differential between the regions remains, indicating the deeper structural reasons for the problem and there are signs that.the difficulties of finding employment are growing acute for young people. What we would like to know is, are these difficulties due to the increasing rate of technical change? Are there particularly local questions which may make the problem worse? _ Do employers in your area feel reluctant to take on young people when they are forced to reorganise because of automation? Are trade unions protecting their older members by resisting new entrants into trades, or even single factories?
"seeetThere are no rigid lines to follow, and there is considerable scope for the initiative of participating groups. The number of people who shoul quake up a group is flexible. In this project it is clear that the wider range of contacts, the more likely is it that that the required information will be found. Involve the local Young Socialist branches as much as possible in the work, and make sure a representative is in the policy making section of the group....There are two main parts to the project. First,there is the sample survey of young persons who are either unemployed now or were so recently, and secondly, we want some background information showing the particular circumstances of the locality."
The circular then goes om make suggestions of how to contact unemployed and recently unemployed young people. This is followed by a suggested list of questions covering details of the interviewee's background and qualifications, information covering the actual period of unemployment, what effects unemployment had, and other matters such as whether or not the person returned to school. The next section deals with what kind of background information is needed to 'fill in gaps in our knowledge about the demand by employers for young workers." Part 3 explains how the statistics should be used, and goes on to outline lines of enquiry should the demand for young workers be falling off.
The cieular concludes: "Results of. the research should be sent to the 'Youth Unemployment Projects Organiser, Young Fabian Group, 11, Dartmouth St., London S.W. 1. If the results are impressive they should be written up and sent fo the local press. They might merit a pamphlet to be locally published, Advice on this can also be obtained from the Group's offices. Do not hesitate to write to the organiser on any subject connected. with the project, where there is a doubt, or where we can help."