Unions collaborate on proposals to end youth employment 'lock-out'

The Union of Students in Ireland will launch new proposals today aimed at developing a national jobs strategy for young people.

The USI, in conjunction with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Second Level Students Union, will unveil the proposals designed to end what it calls, the "lock-out" of young people from the employment market in Ireland.

The initiative aims to see the adoption of a plan to ensure young people can successfully complete the transition from education to employment and are not forced overseas in search of work opportunities.

The President of the USI, Joe O'Connor, said: "What we are launching this morning is a very unique collaboration between the Union of Students in Ireland, the Irish Secondary Students Union and the Irish Congress of Trade Union, where you've got young workers and student leaders at third level and second level coming together with a coherent set of policy proposals around a massive crisis that's facing this country in terms of youth employment.

"We're calling on the Government, in terms of education, social welfare and enterprise to welcome the document which is going to be produced today."