Kevin McNally Workers Party Representative for East Belfast has called for a urgent review of the numbers of young people who are not able to avail of Training Opportunities.

Mr McNally said an urgent review of the number of young people who are being denied the opportunity for training which can have a significant negative impact on their future life chances. Young people who cannot gain admission to further education colleges for traineeships, are also unable to get onto Skills for Life and Work Programmes, because they may have an E in Maths or English, or level 2s in some OCNs.

Mr McNally added these factors are leaving a substantial number of young people without training opportunities and places barriers for young people regarding further educational opportunities and development. The Workers Party believes that every young person deserves the right to fulfill their full potential, through third level education, modern apprenticeships, skills for life and employment programmes. Our young people should never be left in limbo in this manner.

Mr McNally concluded by calling on the Economy Minister who holds the responsibility for these programmes to take action now to fix the system which is clearly not fit for purpose, and make sure that young people who are the adults of the future. Get every opportunity to enhance and fulfill their full potential in their chosen field and increase their life chances. These young people come from predominantly working class communities.