Centrepoint fears as youth unemployment levels rise
As unemployment rates amongst young people increase Centrepoint is concerned the homeless young people that it supports, many of whom are already at a disadvantage when seeking to find work, will become increasingly marginalised as a result of the economic downturn.
Centrepoint welcomes the government’s recognition that the labour market situation for young people has worsened but is concerned about the particular impact on homeless young people.
CEO of Centrepoint, Seyi Obakin, said: “It may be getting hard for the 2009 crop of university graduates but things will get very much tougher for the homeless young people Centrepoint supports. Many young people have faced issues, either preceding their pathways into homelessness, or whilst homeless, which have led to chaotic and unstable lives and produced multiple barriers into the labour market. When they first arrive at Centrepoint three quarters of young people have no qualifications. Over the next few months, the competition for jobs will become intense. The government should ensure the needs of highly disadvantaged young people are met as well trying to help well educated graduates.”
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