Residential courses needed to get country kids to college

Teenagers in rural areas are struggling to access the education and training opportunities they need, want and to which they are entitled, according to new research from ippr north, the Newcastle office of the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) published today (Tues).

Following the publication of GCSE results last week, teenagers living in rural areas are making the decision to find work, or return to study. But ippr north's new report, based on extensive focus groups with 16-19 year olds, show many will not even consider college because they cannot support themselves in a move to the city.

The report warns that new 14-19 vocational diplomas are unlikely to be offered at every FE college in rural areas despite teenagers having a statutory entitlement to study the new diplomas from 2008. The report says the new diplomas could increase the number of teenagers leaving rural areas in search of better education and employment opportunities.

Sue Stirling, ippr north Director, said:

"Teenagers in rural areas are facing a dilemma: should they stay or should they go? Having got their GCSE results, most teenagers think about re-sits or further study at a local FE college. But for many teenagers in rural areas, that is not an option unless they can stay-over in the city and do residential courses."

Brian Wilson, Commission for Rural Communities Thematic Studies & Inquiries Director, said:

"The economic and social sustainability of rural communities relies significantly on young people from those areas being able to pursue successful futures. Careers advice and training opportunities should be accessible to those living in rural areas and ought to be available to all those who would benefit, so that young people no longer feel that the only way to get on is to get out."

ippr north recommends:

· Continued improvements to post-16 education and training opportunities:

Increased opportunity to study out of the local area with appropriate support where courses are not provided locally, such as increased residential support offered at FE colleges for specialist vocational options and/or capital intensive courses.

Implementation of the government's 14-19 agenda will require increased efforts to support collaboration between local colleges and sixth forms to allow equality of access to opportunities.

Access to support to enter and achieve Level 1 and 2 training needs to be improved and extended.

More standardised transport initiatives to link young people to post-16 opportunities.

Immediate action is needed to increase information, advice and guidance (IAG) provided to all young people, particularly young people in employment which could help young people move on from low-wage and low-skilled employment by re-engaging with education and training.

Increased integration between rural economic development and education and skills policy. For example, diversification measures should be developed further to support skills training and a range of career opportunities, including tourism and health and social care.