Title

Youth unemployment in rural areas

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2000

Subject Area

Location - Rural, Location - UK, Location - Urban fringe, Population - Youth

Abstract

Although the experiences of young people in rural areas are somewhat different from those of their urban counterparts, much of our knowledge about youth unemployment is derived from studies of urban youth. This study by Fred Cartmel and Andy Furlong of the University of Glasgow compares the experiences of 18- to 24-year-olds in urban and rural areas who have all recently encountered a period of unemployment. The specific experiences of rural youth are further investigated by a series of in-depth interviews with young people, employers and key professionals in four contrasting rural labour markets. The study found: Long-term youth unemployment tends to be less common in rural than in urban areas, however, rural labour markets are characterised by low skilled and insecure employment. Demand for qualified workers tends to be low. With rural employment being concentrated in small firms, opportunities for young people to undergo training or to upgrade their skills are limited. Many rural employers have a poor knowledge of the New Deal and even those who are aware of the programme frequently feel unable to become involved. Barriers to participation include an inability to meet minimum training requirements or to provide access to external forms of training. Poor or costly transport frequently restricted young people's employment opportunities. Even when transport was available, employers tended to be wary about taking on young people who had to make long or complex journeys. Social networks facilitated access to job opportunities for those young people with good local contacts. For others, the lack of social networks represented an important barrier to employment. Although there was often a high demand for female workers in tourist-related services, those with children frequently lacked access to childcare facilities. A shortage of affordable housing both restricted the labour mobility of young people and caused difficulties for those who wished to remain within the local area