ONS NEET Statistics May 2018

The latest ONS figures on young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) were published today (23 May) business, educators and government need to work together to ensure young people get the careers support, skills training and advice to help them get into work.

Petra Wilton, Director of Strategy for the Chartered Management Institute, said:

“Today’s figures are worrying and clearly illustrate there’s still a long way to go to significantly cut the number of young people not in education, employment or training.

“We need to focus on improving the employability of young people. The Government recently renewed its commitment to boosting apprenticeship funding for 16-18-year olds, but it now needs to cut the bureaucracy of the Apprenticeship Levy to make it far easier for employers to take on young apprentices. Business also needs to act. Our own research found only 29% of employers offer work experience placements, and this simply isn’t good enough. Companies need to provide a supportive environment for young people to learn and develop their potential through work placements. Only then we begin to reduce this critical issue of youth unemployment.” 

Kirstie Mackey, Head of LifeSkills created with Barclays, made the following recommendation:

“The slight increase in the number of young people not in education, employment or training demonstrates how essential it is that young people are trained in the transferable skills that will enable them to navigate today’s ever-changing work environment.

“This isn’t something that can be done by educators alone. Business engagement is crucial in building these skills, and we know that students who interact with employers are at least four times less likely to find themselves without employment, education or training.”*

“The introduction of Careers Leaders in all secondary schools and colleges by September this year is a positive development. But, to see the best results and create the most impactful employability skills and careers advice programme, it is critical that a whole school approach is adopted, with the full backing of the school’s leadership team.

“This way, with employability at the heart of the mainstream curriculum, we can best prepare young people for their first steps towards a successful and rewarding career.”

The motivation behind the LifeSkills programme is to inspire millions of young people and equip them with the key skills to move forward into the 21st century work place. LifeSkills brings together educators, businesses, young people and parents to achieve this, as increasingly young people need to leave education not only with appropriate academic results but with the skills that we know businesses need now and in the future as technology reshapes our working world.

Educators, including schools, colleges, universities, charities and youth groups, are provided with more than 60 hours of free curriculum linked employability resources, through videos, quick fire activities, interactive tools and full lesson plans to teach young people, as well as dozens of interactive tools for young people to learn in their own time or in conjunction with their parents through our dedicated parents section. 

The programme focuses on three core modules; work skills, people skills and money skills.  Teaching skills such as CV writing, interview skills, networking, problem solving, creativity, resilience, communication and managing online reputation.

LifeSkills also provides free support to UK businesses to help improve access to work experience opportunities – giving young people the key skills and experience they need.

Already LifeSkills is raising the aspirations of young people as they feel more confident about the future and we are seeing evidence that young people are using what they have learnt to secure employment and manage their finances more effectively. More than 5 million young people have already participated in the programme.

*Education & Employers Charity and LifeSkills created with Barclays, Making the Grade, 2017