Responding to the latest ONS figures on young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training), Stephen Evans, chief executive at Learning and Work Institute, said:
There are now almost one million young people estimated to not be in education, employment or training, risking long-term harm to their career prospects. Problems with the Labour Force Survey mean the data are uncertain, but there does seem to be an upward trend in recent years, particularly for young men. Today’s worrying rise may signal further trouble ahead in the absence of economic growth, and highlights the importance of implementing a Youth Guarantee so all young people are offered a job, training place or apprenticeship.
These numbers also mask substantial inequalities within construction. Women account for only 10 per cent of starts in construction apprenticeships so far this year, compared to 51 per cent of apprenticeships overall. In addition, this year only 9 per cent of construction starts are by individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, with particularly big disparities for apprentices from black or Asian backgrounds.
The following years therefore present a unique opportunity to not only further boost apprenticeship numbers in the construction sector, but to expand their reach to wider groups. The new Government should work with employers and providers to seize this.
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