In the deadly game of musical chairs for school leavers how can we ensure that

everyone in North Yorkshire gets a seat? DAVID HARBOURNE, executive director of the region's new Learning and Skills Council explores the issue

This time of year always reminds me of a giant game of musical chairs.

This year's 18 year old school leavers have had their summer break and now they are all heading in new directions - some to start a gap year, some straight to university, some to take up permanent jobs.

Sixteen year olds are also starting afresh: whether at college, back at school for sixth form studies, or taking up Modern Apprenticeships, they will find life different from the way it was last June.

But if it really is like musical chairs, some young people will find themselves with nowhere to sit. Others will find their chosen seat uncomfortable.

We are fortunate that in York and North Yorkshire, 93 per cent of 16 year olds stay in learning, whether at school, at college, or by opting for work-based learning programmes such as Modern Apprenticeships.

That still leaves seven per cent who - for a whole variety of reasons - do not or cannot continue.

Sadly, quite a lot of young people drop out in the next year, so that by the time they get to 17 or 18, another 1,200 local young people are no longer actively learning.

The Government is encouraging local partnerships to develop a new service called Connexions.

An example of that modern clich, "joined up thinking", the basic idea is to make sure that all the different agencies that work with young people aged 13-19 link together, so that help and support can be given to young people in a properly co-ordinated way.

They may need advice on career choices, health, housing, drugs - whatever the issue, they should be able to talk to a Connexions Personal Advisor.

In our area, we are actively preparing to launch a Connexions Service in 2002. To pave the way, a number of pilot activities are already happening.

The Learning and Skills Council's main contribution is directed at 18-20 year olds who haven't yet achieved a qualification at level 2. (Sorry about the jargon! What this means is five GCSEs at grades A-C, or a level 2 National Vocational Qualification, or equivalent). Because of the number of young people who drop out of learning aged 16 or 17, we know that there are quite a few who could benefit from a boost to their learning a year or two later on.

So if you employ someone aged 18, 19 or 20 who has few or no qualifications, we can help provide extra training and other support to help him or her get a nationally-recognised qualification.

It would help them, and it would also help you - more skills and more knowledge add up to more motivated, more capable staff.

Give us a call on 0845 019 4146 for more details. In this game of musical chairs, let's try and make sure everyone gets a seat.