Keeping young people in school or training until 18 welcome but detail is crucial to success

Commenting on government proposals to raise the age for young people to stay in education and training, CBI Director-General, Richard Lambert said:

This is a necessary step. With nearly half of all businesses dissatisfied with school-leaversí literacy, numeracy and employability skills, raising the education and training leaving age should ensure more young people succeed in the workplace. Unemployment must not be an option for a teenager in the modern world.

The success of this initiative will rely on getting the details right. Many firms already offer good on-the-job training and we need to ensure the qualifications systems captures this. Equally, 16 and 17-year-olds disaffected with the formal education system might be put off taking a job if the training reminds them too much of school.

It is vital employers are able to offer training towards qualifications that meet the needs of both business and young people. High quality careers advice is also essential so that teenagers are fully aware of the options open to them, what is expected of them and the value of training.