Pivotal Public Policy Forum · 2023
This report presents findings from 12 focus groups with 92 young people aged 14–25 in Northern Ireland, exploring their experiences of education, training and employment. Young people expressed widespread dissatisfaction with exam pressure, school environments, careers advice, and the lack of apprenticeship placements. Key barriers to employment identified included a lack of work experience, age discrimination, low wages, and limited job opportunities locally. Young people offered practical solutions including more integrated education, curriculum reform, increased apprenticeship support, and higher minimum wages.