Recession has sparked a sharp rise in the number of Northern Ireland school-leavers seeking a place in university, it was revealed today.
With much of the world’s economy in reverse and jobs ever harder to come by, applications to universities are provisionally up some seven per cent this year, according to Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey.
It was “a significant increase” given that half of school leavers in Northern Ireland already go to university — more than in the rest of the UK - the minister said.
“The reason could be that some people who might have gone into the labour market have decided that maybe the time isn’t right, and if they go into higher education in three or four years they might be in a better position.”
With A level results out tomorrow and GCSE’s next week, Sir Reg said it was a challenging time for school leavers, particularly those hoping to get work.
“This time last year we were beginning to see the downturn, but compared with two or three years ago it is a different labour market.”
Sir Reg and his department have keyed up a series of initiatives to try to make things easier for those whoexperience difficulties during the downturn and one of the things he plans for the autumn are graduate internships in government departments.
His department is also funding 35-week graduate conversion courses to help those with a degree get a diploma in disciplines where there has been a shortage of employees such as the IT sector.
Those signing up get £120 a week plus £200 at the end of the first term and £300 on a successful completion.
PA