A government backed review has warned that nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), raising concerns about a potential ‘lost generation’.
The interim report, led by Alan Milburn, found that around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds are currently disconnected from work and education. It argues that the rise in youth inactivity is being driven by a combination of worsening mental health, fewer entry level job opportunities and fragmented support services.
The review challenges the perception that young people are unwilling to work, highlighting that many NEET young people already hold qualifications, including GCSEs, Level 3 qualifications and degrees.
The report also points to significant changes in the labour market, with fewer apprenticeships and entry level roles available, alongside increasingly complex recruitment processes.
FIS was among the organisations that responded to the review’s call for evidence, contributing insights from the finishes and interiors sector on the challenges of attracting and supporting young people into employment and training.
The report’s findings will inform a second phase of work, which is expected to make recommendations on improving pathways into employment for young people across the UK.
The interim report can be found here Young people and work: interim report – GOV.UK