Young people transitioning into education and employment 

Examining how labour market inequalities are rooted in the differential experiences of young people in the education system and investigating how the pathways to employment are patterned by ethnically marked choice and constraints in post-compulsory education provision.

Researchers: Ken Clark, Steve Nolan

A female apprentice from an ethnic minority

This project used research and evidence from previous recessions, which tended to affect younger people more severely, to highlight the need for ethnicity and race to feature at the heart of the policy response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

We examined apprenticeships, a key element of employment policy that is intended to improve intermediate skills, and how effectively this operates for people from different backgrounds. The usefulness of apprenticeship policy in addressing ethnic inequalities in the labour market is open to question: learners from ethnic minorities are overrepresented in applications for apprenticeship programmes but are underrepresented in terms of apprenticeship starts and completions. 

Ouputs

Briefing paper: Covid 19 and apprenticeship policy for ethnic minority young people

Apprenticeships are a key route into employment for young people. This CoDE/Runnymede briefing explores how apprenticeships policy can support young people from ethnic minorities right at the start of their working lives. 

Download the briefing

Article: Young ethnic minorities bear brunt of recessions, and it’s happening again – here’s how to stop it

This article in The Conversation shows the disproportionate impact of economic downturns on young people from ethnic minorities, provides evidence that this pattern is repeating as a result of COVID-19 and recommends actions for policymakers to avoid increasing inequalities. 

Read the article

Webinar: Tackling the crisis of ethnic minority youth unemployment

Webinar with the Runnymede Trust, exploring policy and practice affecting young people from ethnic minorities and their entry into, and progression within, the workplace.

Watch the webinar recording.

Video: Ethnic inequalities for young people entering the labour market