LSIS BME Research Dissemination Event

LSIS BME Research Dissemination Event Exploring the barriers and issues facing BME young people within Newcastle, that affects their participation in Work Based Learning.

Background • Around 3% BME participation in Apprenticeships • 15% of school leavers (2009) BME • Large number of BME young people in the ‘Not Known group’

Projections • Since 2006, the proportion of BME children has risen from 14.7% to 20.3% and the proportion of EAL children has risen from 12.7% to 17%. If this pattern continues, a quarter of children in Newcastle schools will be from BME backgrounds by 2020. • Projections indicate that the cohort will be smaller but the BME proportion will increase

Methodology • Completion of individual questionnaires. • Interviews with key workers within BME community groups. • Interviews with young people

Findings • Education Is important to Asian parents • 90% of the young people we spoke to had wanted to go into further education either at college or school • Reasons for change of direction • ‘Didn’t get grades’ • ‘Didn’t have course I wanted’ • ‘None of my friends were going’

Findings (2) • 50% of the young people we spoke to have not used Connexions or any other support agency • 25% of those who did were not satisfied • All of the young people we spoke to would seek IAG from friends and family

Findings (3) • The data depends on how a young person views themselves and not necessarily what they are. Providers have reported that young people who are Black/Asian have ticked the ‘British’ box • African, Any Other Asian Background, Any Other Black Background, Any Other Ethnic Group, Any Other Mixed Background, Any Other White Background, Bangladeshi, British, Chinese, Indian, Information Not Obtained, Irish, Pakistani, Refused, White And Asian, White And Black African, White And Black Caribbean (17 categories) • While I do not think that this would make a huge difference to the numbers reported in Apprenticeships it may show a different picture.

Findings (4) • “It’s a generational thing” • Young people who had just come into the country had to learn the language which held them back and in some cases were too old for apprenticeships by the time they were able to make decisions • 1st generation were still greatly influenced by parents, who may not speak English or have integrated into the local area networks. It was also an issue round the importance of education as opposed to training for these parents

Findings (5) • “Go away and find an employer” • Some providers require the young people to find their own employer this is particularly difficult for young people from ethnic minorities as they do not have the networks, confidence or in some cases language skills to do this

Findings (6) • “I need too many days off for Holy days “ • 10% of the young people we spoke to indicated that their parents expected them to attend religious celebrations both here and abroad and they believed that employers would not allow this. This was not tested by any of the young people.

Findings (7) • “I was surrounded by white faces” • Young BME people who have tried WBL report the feeling of isolation. This is supported by feedback from the young people and their advisors. Some young people have reported that they felt intimidated when attending training providers and consequently dropped out. • Within Newcastle training providers there is less than 3% of the workforce from the BME community and this is mainly in support positions. The charity/voluntary sector providers have BME representation within other aspects of their provision but not mainstream Work Based learning

Findings (8) • Marketing material • The most popular were the ones that had more visual images rather than narrative. • The young people thought there would be no benefit to marketing material in other languages • Of the providers marketing material they looked at NACRO and TTS was the most popular.

Conclusions (1) • The BME community in Newcastle is in itself very diverse and until we understand this we are only going to scratch the surface. The communities tend to be exclusive even within geographical areas. • It is very difficult to complete this research without appearing to criticise the existing support available. Most of the young people we spoke to did not have positive experiences of school and were disengaged before they left. This was supported by the advisors.

Conclusions (2) • 50% of the young people had not used Connexions 25% had but were not happy with advise given. All of the young people we spoke to depended on and acted on advice given to them by people within their own communities. This information was not always accurate. • Although these issues are important they are beyond the scope of this research and cannot be addressed by one sector or organisation

The Way forward WBL providers (1) • We need to be more effective in our promotion with an emphasis on the learning rather than assessment. Education is vital to most of the BME groups in Newcastle • We need to work with partners to support young people in their decision making. Further developing the relationship with the 14 – 19 partnership and IAG sub group

The Way forward WBL providers (2) • WE need to review our recruitment processes. As part of our PRD activity we need to review existing practice and develop a strategy to increase the number of BME trainers and assessors. • WE must develop a mentoring programme ensuring that new entrants do not feel intimidated and young people on programme become ‘good’ role models.

The Way forward WBL providers (3) • We must work with the local employers to encourage them to offer training, promoting the benefits of apprenticeships to non traditional users of funded programmes. • Work with local communities, schools and Connexions to promote the offer. We must ensure that we keep Connexions staff and the schools up to date with changes within our Sector to ensure that the IAG they give is accurate and current

The Way ForwardNewcastle UXL • Diversity In Apprenticeship Funding

Thank you • The young people who completed the questionnaires and shared their thoughts with us • Angelou Centre • Unity Programme • Vin Kapour (Scotswood Area), who works with young males aged 12 - 19 and John Percival from Changemakers. They were very supportive and arranged to bring a group of young men to NACRO to complete a questionnaire and be interviewed. • Connexions staff for their experience and also supplying us with data • 14 – 19 partnership for the ongoing support • Arvind Sharma our critical friend who has been very supportive • Rathbone for sharing their experiences gained through their Outreach programme • LSIS for their financial support to complete this research • And to you for listening to me

LSIS BME Research Dissemination Event