On Friday I visited Dedworth Middle School to open their new IT suite.

I was struck by the dedication and commitment of the Governors, the senior staff and the new head teacher.  But, above all, I was encouraged and enthralled by the enthusiasm of the pupils.  They were talkative, outgoing and socially bright and it was a pleasure to chat with them about their work and their plans for the future.

When they finish school, some will decide to work immediately, others will choose University, and others will seek to gain a vocational qualification and apprenticeship.  With 1.25 million youngsters aged 19-24 not in work, education or training today, I do have some concerns for them.  Nationally there is not enough information available about the vocational courses and skills in demand by employers and I am not surprised that 50% of students drop out of vocational courses.

It would be wonderful if information on which vocational courses are in demand by employers was available so that school leavers can make informed choices about their next step with some confidence of finding a job afterwards.

Over the past eighteen months I have been a member of the Conservative Party’s Economic Competitiveness Policy Group which is making policy recommendations for a future Conservative Government.  One of the important things we have looked at is the lack of opportunities and effective skills training for 16-24 year olds.

Currently the National Learning and Skills Council, a vast quasi-government department, manages the funding and decides the types of training offered instead of businesses and industry having an adequate level of input into what skills and training are required for their future employees. 

Instead of this distant, bureaucratic and centralised system, we would like to see funding follow the individual trainee.  So that if a young person decides to take up a vocational course that’s in demand by employers, the Government would fund the course!  This would certainly have the effect of matching employer demand with trainee supply and, coupled with proper careers guidance, will empower our youngsters to make better informed decisions about their careers. 

Given the obvious shortage of skilled young professionals in so many key jobs – like plumbing and gardening – I am delighted that we are now setting out a clear framework of how an incoming Conservative Government would meet the challenge to harness the ambitions and enhance the prospects of our young people.

Let’s trust our young students to make the right decisions with the right information.