Semicolon before 'and' ?

[MagnoliaMix]

Please help, wonderful pedants. I'm using semicolons to separate a list of clauses, the last of which is preceded by 'and'. My colleague insists on a semicolon before the 'and'. But it doesn't sit right with me.

What's correct please ? The sentence is something like: 'Participants discussed the importance of healthcare; competition for jobs; efforts to reform the school system; and opportunities for youth" (but not that sentence!)

TIA

I think that is a correct use of the semicolons, though I would use commas in that sentence structure.

Yes, if you're using semicolons in a list, you need one before the 'and' at the end of the list.

Thank you ! It seems I'm wrong - important to know.

I’m with 1Wanda1 - I think you should be using commas, not semicolons, as you are writing a simple list in continuous prose. Alternatively, write the items as a vertical list, with no punctuation at all.

semicolons at the end of each point in the list with "and" after a semicolon after the penultimate point.

I'm with Babdoc. In your example I wouldn't use semicolons at all.

Here's what I would write:

Participants discussed the importance of healthcare, competition for jobs, efforts to reform the school system and opportunities for youth.

Although, looking again,I thought you meant a list as in...

Participants discussed:
-the importance of healthcare;
-efforts to reform; and
-opportunities for youth.

If this is in a sentence I agree with babdoc re commas.

I would use commas, but I would use a comma before "and." The serial or Oxford comma is optional, but with a string of phrases (as opposed to single words), I think it is clearer and more elegant.

If you use semi-colons, you need one before "and." Semi-colons are often the preference for a string of phrases, but these are fairly short, so I would stick with commas.

I’d replace the semi-colons with commas (including an Oxford comma), and also add a colon.

Participants discussed: the importance of healthcare, competition for jobs, efforts to reform the school systems, and opportunities for youth.

I agree with @SenecaFallsRedux about the Oxford comma. It's optional but it does add clarity.

I would use semicolons in a list of one or more items in the list needed a comma (eg between adjectives or before who/which). If I didn't need a comma inside any of the list items, even if they were phrases, I'd use commas.

Noooo, you do not use a semi-colon before the 'and' (actually, they shouldn't be used in this example - the semi-colon is required after 'of', then a comma should be used when listing items such as these. Indeed, you do not even require an Oxford comma before the and because items on the list all are related.
The Oxford comma would be used for example, if your sentence was
Participants discussed the importance of; healthcare, competition for jobs, efforts to reform the school system, and how these could be addressed

I would use commas, including one before ‘and’ in this case.

I would use a colon, then commas, but not before the 'and' . i.e. .Participants discussed: the importance of health care, competitions for jobs, reform of the school system and oportunities for youth.
But, I am an old Scottish lady who may have had different teaching.

No, you're not wrong! You don't follow a semi colon with a conjunction.

Here's what I would write:
Participants discussed the importance of healthcare, competition for jobs, efforts to reform the school system, and opportunities for youth.