Nearly half of 16–21-year-olds in the North expect to move from their area of whom 44% are seeking better employment prospects and 40% expect to move to find a better living environment, according to new research into the views of young people on levelling up.
The study, commissioned by Atkins and Northern Powerhouse Partnership, shines a light on the perceived prospects that young people believe await them in their local areas, as those with the highest academic aspirations were most likely to leave in search of better opportunities
The research, delivered by Trajectory, gives a broad insight into the younger generation’s view of their prospects and opinions on the future, from transport and environment to education and leisure opportunities.
Just over half believed they would be well prepared for the future job market, and 45% expected there to be job opportunities and somewhere affordable to live locally. Of those who plan to move away, only 15% plan to move to a town or city in their region. However, the majority felt positive about their local area, suggesting a disconnect between their preferences and the perceived prospects that lie within those places.
Transport is seen as fundamental to their school, college and job opportunities (34% felt lack of public transport options limited their choice of school, college or work) and 62% living in towns or rural areas experienced unreliable public transport.
49% of respondents felt that high quality jobs would not be available in their local area, but would be available in their region whilst information technology, healthcare, finance, engineering and media were listed as the top five sectors to find high quality jobs of the future.
Despite high levels of support for the principle of Levelling Up (80%), more than half thought it has not worked in practice (54%) and only 31% thought that their area has benefited.
44% felt Levelling Up only benefits older generations and not under 21s, reinforcing the importance of listening, learning from and responding to the views of younger people.
Richard Robinson, UK and Europe CEO of Atkins, commented:
“This research offers a view of the future from the perspective of those who will live it, rather than those who professionally plan and deliver it. It should act as a wake-up call: the prospects that many young people believe awaits them reinforces the need for urgency, to deliver change faster and create greater opportunities that benefit all generations.
“Economic investment has a direct and lasting impact on communities but that value goes beyond the built environment, from greater access to jobs and skills to the importance of local transport in connecting communities and boosting opportunities. This is what will create thriving places and influence the future prospects of younger generation, ensuring that those that want to stay in their local area aren’t discouraged from doing so.
“Business has a crucial role to play, working in partnership with local authorities, universities, agencies and other stakeholders, all within a framework provided by government, from redoubling efforts on jobs and skills to greater engagement with young people. Rebalancing regions cuts across a multitude of areas and collaboration will help deliver a levelled up future.”
Henri Murison, Chief Executive of Northern Powerhouse Partnership said:
“Young people who grow up in towns with poor links to major cities don’t have the same life chances as those elsewhere. While it’s simply not possible to spread opportunity perfectly equally everywhere, what we can do is improve transport connectivity so these young people don’t miss out. This also allows these major economic centres access to the talent they need to reach their full potential.
“Recent analysis has found that tackling major economic challenges such as transport and innovation could create over a million high-skilled jobs for the North of England in the next thirty years – a gamechanger for young people growing up here today.
“This is vital for closing the north-south productivity divide, which is the only way to help the next generation fulfil its potential.”
