A COUNTY councillor fears unemployed young people in Worcestershire could become a “lost generation” if more isn’t done to help them get jobs.

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet was told how there are nearly 4,000 people aged 18-24 on Job Seekers Allowance with about 400 aged 16-17 not in education, employment or training.

Councillor Fran Oborski said many young people are being brought up in families with no established work ethic – resulting in a large number of jobs being taken up by migrant workers.

Coun Orborksi, who represents St Chads, Kidderminster, proposed a notice of motion at a cabinet meeting for the council to implement an “ambitious” programme offering increased work experience and training for young people. The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “Many of the short term jobs which these people might take up have been taken up by migrants with a better work ethic.

“This could come from a lack of an established family work ethic.

“Some traditions have broken down and young people are not used to there being regular work within their families.

“We as an authority must ensure we and all the job providers maximise the opportunities for young people in the county. The prospect of a lost generation is really quite frightening.

“It is those who start on a training course then drop out at aged 18 or over who are difficult to track. They then drift and the devil makes work for idle hands.

“We could end up with sub groups in the county in some areas of the highest need.

“I would urge the cabinet to see if there are more opportunities we can provide so we don’t have this large number of lost young people.”

Councillor Simon Geraghty, cabinet member for planning, economy and performance, said the council needs to wait to see which programmes the coalition Government will support.

He said: “It is clear in terms of the statistics, our performance as a whole is not bad.

“We will be working with the new coalition Government to see what programmes are going to be brought forward for this age group.

“We need to be realistic, we are entering a period of economic constraint and need to be careful when allocating resources to make sure these things are going to be backed by the Government.”

Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people (12-19 years), said: “It is important to engage with employers.

“It is right that we look again at what we are doing because of the complex funding scenario we have at the moment.

“We need to come up with a clear strategy for this group which is affordable and achievable.”

Councillor George Lord, leader of the council, said he was satisfied the council’s current plans and schemes to help young people secure training and employment were “sufficiently ambitious.”