Latest news: University qualification recommended

As youth unemployment rises, experts say a university qualification will improve job chances. 18/11/2011

Youth unemployment has topped the 1 million mark after the number of unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds rose from 991,000 in the three months to August.

‘Getting a university qualification will put you in a much better position when you graduate around 2015, when we expect the economy to have improved. You should carefully consider all your options about your future - and don’t let the headlines put you off,’ said Wes Streeting from The Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information.

The aim is to separate fact from fiction on student finance reforms that will commence in 2012. These include the fact that you don’t need to pay cash upfront to go to university - fees are paid for by taking out a loan from the Student Loans Company. Students are only obliged to make loan repayments once their annual earnings exceed £21,000. The loan is wiped after 30 years.

This taskforce has launched a package of free resources which includes a booklet, a student repayment calculator and audio and video guides to help clear up the confusion surrounding tuition fees for those starting higher education in 2012.

Mr Streeting was keynote speaker at an event held at Birmingham City University and was addressing an audience of young people from schools and colleges from across the region. The speech was made at an awareness campaign in support of the Independent Task Force on Student Finance information, which is led by the founder of MoneySavingExpert, Martin Lewis.

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