HUNDREDS of young unemployed people turned down the chance to attend a "prepare for work" course.
The Department of Economic Development wrote to 450 people aged 16 to 24 who are currently not in employment, education or training (often referred to as NEETs) to invite them to attend the free five day course.
Of the 450, just 17 responded to say that they would like to attend the course, which ran last week, and only eight actually turned up.
The invitation letter explained the course was designed to provide young people with the key skills that employers are looking for when they recruit to their organisations.
The course leads to a recognised vocational qualification that is widely welcomed by employers.
Some of the benefits of attending the course include increased self confidence; learning to create an effective CV and having one ready to send after the course; being better prepared for interviews; improving communication skills; an opportunity to learn new skills and put them into practice and a chance to work as part of a team.
Economic Development Minister Allan Bell MHK said: "I find the response to this opportunity very disappointing indeed.
"My department is sometimes criticised for not offering enough support to the young unemployed but this is an example of help being ignored.
"Young people have an important role to play in securing their own future and I would strongly encourage them to take up opportunities offering positive help and support. It is often said that we only report good news.
"This is an example of a missed opportunity for all those who declined the course and it must be understood that government can only offer support – it is up to young people to take responsibility for their own life chances."
Clare Christian MLC, member for employment and skills within the department, said: "I would like to congratulate the eight young people who took up this positive opportunity and attended the course.
"They provided very positive feedback and all attendees found that the course had helped them to improve their communication skills and had boosted their confidence in terms of searching for suitable employment."
Of the eight attendees, all said that they are now more confident about work and that attending the programme is likely to help them to find and keep a job.
All eight said that they are glad that they attended and that they would recommend the programme to others.
One attendee commented that it was a "very good week, I wouldn't mind if it was longer, it helped me a lot, thank you." Another said they "just would like to say 'thanks' to everyone at TLC for your hard work!"
Sue Gee of TLC, who provided the course in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, said: "TLC is committed to the development of young people in the Isle of Man.
"This preparing for the workplace course has already proved successful for a large number of young people who have previously attended it.
"At TLC we go above and beyond the call of duty by assisting where necessary with issues such as travel and addressing personal circumstances.
"I would very much recommend that young people attend this course in the New Year."
The next "prepare for work" course will run from March 28 to April 1 2011.
The contact in the department for registration is Fiona Mackie on 685128.
The department and TLC will meet in January to review how the course is communicated in future to encourage greater numbers of young people to attend and make the most of the opportunity.
