Youth charity to tackle UK's 'NEETs' issue head on

Transformational youth education charity to increase unique development programmes by 1000% - and across the UK
By: UKSA (UK Sailing Academy)
 
SOLIHULL, U.K. - Nov. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- A maritime youth charity specialising in transformational development programmes has announced major expansion plans to help counter the plight of Britain’s NEETs*.

By 2017 UKSA (http://uksa.org/youth-development/youth-transition/)  will have 2,000 youth development participants per annum – a massive increase of 1800 per year. Their unique Back to Work programmes can be rolled out anywhere in the UK and (apart from their Isle of Wight base) have already been expanded to The Solent area, Kent and Greater London.

Through a range of water-based activities such as sailing and watersports, UKSA inspires and engages young people to take on new challenges, build confidence and self esteem, enhance social and physical skills – and make the increasingly difficult transition from education to employment.

Via schemes like ‘Change Direction’ for 16 to 24s seeking to move off benefits and into employment, 82% of participants have moved into some form of work or training.

And ‘Unlocking Potential’ enables young offenders to experience the work of a maritime centre and explore job opportunities in this industry. It saw a 91% success rate (those who have served their sentence and not reoffended). Half also found employment after release.

UKSA’s new strategic direction was announced at a Houses of Parliament event made up of leading figures and supporters from the corporate, local government, charity and yachting sectors – with young beneficiaries taking to the stage to tell how their lives have been turned around.

Also present was London 2012 Paralympics gold medallist sailor Helena Lucas who said: “I was honoured to be there and it was really eye opening what impact this charity has had on so many young people.”

CEO Richard Thornton (ex-Prince’s Trust) welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’srecent crackdown on welfare for school leavers (take a job or an apprenticeship or remain in education or training, rather than claim dole) but challenged the government to pay for it, as it doesn’t come for free.

He explains: “There’s never been more need for the programmes that UKSA delivers. Up to one in five of the UK’s under-25s are unemployed and that currently costs the taxpayer £20million a week in Job Seekers Allowance alone. And last year NEETS cost the country £4.7 billion – which is more than the budget of Further Education for 16-19 year olds.

“However, a youth development programme like ours costs just £1,000 to transform and change a life, so we’ll be doing all in our power to raise the additional £3 million a year required to fund our plans, as well as securing capital funding to invest in our sites.

“The biggest barrier for young people to enter into employment is self confidence and esteem and our programmes and the challenges they bring are overwhelmingly proven to give them the purpose and motivation they need, plus a direction towards work, volunteering, education, or training. It provides them with a new lease of life because they immerse themselves in a very positive environment.”

Mr Thornton also announced plans for 8,000 schools & groups participants per annum (an increase of 1,500) via dedicated new facilities on the mainland - one recently opened at Fisher’s Green Sailing Club in Waltham Abbey on the Herts/Essex border and another venue is planned - plus 3,000 professional watersports training customers (an increase of 300 per year). One in 10 yacht masters across the world are expertly trained via UKSA.

In addition, UKSA runs Prince’s Trust programmes, which aim to get local young people involved in community projects, into maritime jobs and discovering new opportunities.

Find out more, at www.uksa.org and view the latest film about this inspirational and motivational charity at http://youtu.be/RAfdvoEn2sE



*Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show 1.09million NEETs (16-24 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training), which equates to 15.1% of all young people in the UK.

ENDS

Media Contact
Greg Rees
greg@beyond400.co.uk
07866 613907
End
Source:UKSA (UK Sailing Academy)
Email:***@beyond400.co.uk Email Verified
Tags:Youth Development, Youth Engagement, Youth Training, Transition Schemes, NEETS
Industry:Education, Non-profit
Location:Solihull - Birmingham - England
Subject:Products
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