The Commission for Rural Communities has just published a report on the challenges facing young people in rural areas, with one of the focus areas being work. The study found that poor broadband and mobile phone connectivity in rural areas hindered recruitment and adversely affected young people’s ability to access jobs and education and training support. In fact, the Commission Chairman commented that without young people to provide a work force, rural economies are unable to fulfil their full potential and rural communities can go into a decline.” Some of the study’s recommendations include more job centres and apprenticeships and the prioritisation of rural communities when improving broadband services. The Countryside Alliance also advocated ‘small-scale sustainable development’ to keep jobs and homes in these rural areas.

Source: bbc.co.uk/04.03.2010