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Read MoreAward Winner Luke Rogers on social enterprise
Luke Rogers is one of four Live UnLtd Award Winners invited to participate at an Enterprise Lab debate on youth unemployment and youth enterprise at the House of Commons in London on Tuesday evening. We asked Luke some questions about his thoughts on social enterprise and what he hopes to discuss.
Hi Luke. Have you noticed high levels of unemployment in your area?
In Yorkshire is we’re I am based and I have not noticed unemployment as a problem, unlike our close cities as Leeds andBradfordwhere unemployment is increasingly becoming a problem.
Do you have an opinion on the possible solutions to rising youth unemployment?
I think access to higher and further education should be more accessible for young people. Since the coalition government we have seen a loss to our education maintenance allowance to the majority of young people and the ‘cap’ for university’s fees has been moved to £9,000. This has made it very difficult for young people as the see the finical commitment as far beyond there reach and this is having a huge effect for social class mobility.
Also with the rise in taxes, rising in living costs and the finical crisis we are seeing at the moment, this causes a rise in stress and depression that is damaging to people’s motivation to be able to get employed.
Do you intend to raise any points at the debate, and if so what are they?
Tuition fees are at all time high and I am concerned that they have put many young people out of the university ‘race’. I also believe that social entrepreneurship should be promoted as a solid choice of career by government.
With 1.1million young people unemployed demand for jobs far exceeds supply. Social entrepreneurship gives young people the ability to set up something that they are passionate about and potentially create jobs thus addressing the jobs deficit.
The support system surrounding social enterprise needs to be strengthened by government, businesses and the higher education / further education sectors.
How do you define social enterprise?
Social enterprise is about effecting social situations in a way of change or attitude, improvement or raising awareness to allow people to gain invaluable experience over a monetary gain. I think it’s about improving environmental and human well-being, rather than maximising profit.
Do you think social enterprise has a role to play in equipping people with skills relevant to later careers?
Yes. I think you gain many skills and motivations as well as feeling a sense of purpose and self-direction. If you are dedicated to something you are passionate about and achieve your goals no matter how big or small along the way you will learn about practical things such as being organised, time keeping, people skills as well as giving you the drive determination and strength to work hard at making a difference.
I think also that there is a place for a social organisation (like Connections) that works with people who are unemployed in order to equip them with the skills, attitudes and confidence to transfer in to there future careers.
Thanks, Luke. Good luck at the debate!
Coming from a broken home beset with domestic violence and having been homeless numerous times before age 16, Luke turned his life around and now works with universities, children’s services and foster carers all over the UK. You can learn more about Luke on his website here.We’ll be posting a follow-up on the Parliamentary debate later in the week.
