Policy Hub
A series of reports issued by the National Skills Forum on 3 February 2010 highlight the findings of an inquiry into how disadvantaged groups are excluded from vocational learning and training opportunities. The inquiry focused on three groups: black and minority ethnic people, offenders and ex-offenders and people with disabilities.
The reports set out recommendations for policymakers and employers on ways to increase skills and employment opportunities for socially excluded groups.
Across all three of the social groups investigated, the inquiry found that a combination of inflexible funding and low expectations of peer groups and employers, coupled with a government obsession with ‘ticking boxes’ in relation to training provision, engendered a swathe of worklessness and social exclusion.
The report on offenders urges the government to provide better education and training opportunities for those on remand and those serving short term sentences in order to help them into meaningful employment, re-integrate them into society and cut reoffending.
Evidence shows that not enough is being done to tackle the issue of ex-offenders unable to secure work because of inadequate or irrelevant training, leading to poor skills and a lack of qualifications.
Black and ethnic minority learners (PDF)