Full Report
Methodology
Underpinned by concerns regarding the out-migration of young people, the purpose of this research was to explore the employment and economic opportunities for young people in the Northern Fells of Cumbria. The study was broad in its focus, examining issues raised by young people that in anyway impacted upon their livelihood strategies.
Based in the Northern Fells, the study focussed on young people aged between 14-24 years of age. The research divided this age range into two, working with 14-17 year olds and 18-24 year olds. The 14-17 year group mainly incorporated young people in the throes of decision-making as they considered options and opportunities regarding Further/Higher Education and potential careers. Many had experience of local labour markets through jobs. The 16-17 year olds were eligible for the new minimum wage brought into operation in October 2004. Members of the 18-24 age group were either in Further/Higher Education, on a gap year, in an apprenticeship, looking for or in employment.
The core method to this project was focus group work. The study organised twelve focus groups which incorporated a total of forty seven young people. Six of the focus groups were with young people aged 14-17, the other six with those aged 18-24. The focus groups were held in parish halls, village halls and a pub in the Northern Fells. The focus groups were organised by Joyce Woodcock, who lives in the Northern Fells and is the project enabler, and facilitated by Katy Bennett (who works for Leicester University2) and Keira Harvey (a research assistant on a gap year between School and University who lives locally). All the focus groups were taped and transcribed for analysis. Additional information was collated as young people filled in questionnaires at the end of focus group meetings detailing information regarding their education, training, work, club membership and households.
Other key methods to the project included semi-structured interviews and the collation and basic analysis of statistics, particularly the 2001 Census. 13 semistructured interviews were conducted with local employers and people with formal responsibilities in the Northern Fells to identify some of the obstacles to/opportunities for employment and livelihood strategies that young people face. Interviewees included not only seven local employers, but also two health professionals, a representative of Connexions, the University of Central Lancashire, and two Housing Associations. Again, all interviews, apart from one, were taped and transcribed.
The research was conducted between October and December 2004. In December, a feedback session was organised, giving young people who had taken part in the project the opportunity to contribute to initial analysis and potential recommendations. The recommendations will form the basis of the second stage of this project, which will put words into action.