Responding to the latest ONS figures on young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training), Elizabeth Gerard, deputy director at Learning and Work Institute, said:
“The latest release by the Office for National Statistics shows yet another increase in the number of young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the UK to 948,000, 12.8% of the population aged 16-24.
This continued rise is especially concerning on results day, when many young people are receiving their GCSE and Level 1 and 2 vocational qualifications results. At a time when young people are thinking about their next steps, too many are at risk of being left behind, with long-term consequences for their futures.
While the Government has made a commitment to address youth participation in employment through the Youth Guarantee and Trailblazers, more is needed. We’re calling on the Government to be ambitious in its offer for young people: to reduce the NEET rate to 10% and ensure no young person who is able to engage with work or training is NEET for more than a year. This means providing tailored support for all 16-24 year olds, delivered through accessible, joined-up services in communities across the country.”
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