A GENERATION of young people could become trapped into a ‘lifetime of worklessness’, according to a Dorset training provider.

Although unemployment fell nationally by 7.1 per cent in figures last week, youth unemployment is at its highest since 1993.

FNTC Training, which works with young people in Dorset from its site at Branksome Business Park, is calling for more efforts to deal with the nearly one million young people classified as ‘NEETS’ – young people not in education, employment or training.

Tara Roudiani, MD at the company, urged young people and their parents to do more to help themselves.

She said: “If we are not careful, we will raise a generation of young people who will become trapped in a lifetime of worklessness.

“The UK falls behind our European counterparts when it comes to helping young people start out in the world of work and we must address it sooner rather than later.”

She added: “This time last year we were struggling to find employers willing to take on apprentices. Now we have lots of jobs available but we cannot find enough young people to fill them.

“It’s quite ridiculous given that the youth unemployment figures are so high.”

The company believes the abolition of the Connexions youth advisory service has meant that many teens are not getting access to impartial advice and guidance.

Tara Roudiani added: “It is imperative that we create systems that provide clear pathways from school into employment.

“Too many, especially those who do not wish to continue to university, are dropping through the loop.

“We believe that not enough is being done to signpost them to the number of jobs and apprenticeships that are ready and waiting, and maybe the time has come to invest in making sure that these young people can get the right information to make informed choices for their future.”

The company delivers apprenticeships, traineeships and vocational qualifications from bases in areas such as Dorset and Salisbury.