This report provides case study evidence of national and international approaches to youth education and employment, comparing them to the current situation in England, and drawing out key lessons. These case studies offer lessons both in building programmes, and in designing systems in which such programmes can be delivered. Taken together they provide a framework for exploring ways in which an effective and integrated system for delivering practical, sustainable and valuable support for young people can be created.

A case study approach allows us to examine the way in which different countries, states and organisations are meeting the needs of young people and to identify which aspects of those approaches can inform how systems and programmes could and should operate in England. This is not a call to import or replicate existing models, rather it is to identify how, and which aspects can aid our understanding and provide insights for policy and delivery.

Our youth commission is looking at how to improve education and employment opportunities for 16-24 year olds in England. Its first report identified five key challenges:

• better supporting 700,000 young people not in education, employment or training
• increasing the number of people qualified to at least level 3
• improving attainment in literacy and numeracy and other basic skills
• creating a diversity of higher level learning routes through life
• support job quality, career progression, and economic security