Early engagement with the workplace could be pivotal in preventing hundreds of thousands of young people in Britain from becoming part of a "lost generation," according to a recent report. The study highlights that individuals under 16 who have "meaningful engagement" with employers are 80 percent less likely to become Not in Education, Employment, or Training (Neet).
The report, from the education charity Education and Employers, comes as the Office for National Statistics revealed that the number of young people classified as Neet has surpassed one million. This figure represents the highest level since late 2013 and is an increase of 55,000 from the previous quarter. Additionally, 613,000 young people are economically inactive, meaning they are neither working nor seeking employment, a record high.
Unequal Access to Opportunities
Despite the potential benefits of work experience, its accessibility is heavily influenced by family connections, leading to an uneven distribution of opportunities. The report found that up to 81 percent of work experience placements are currently arranged by families using their personal networks. Three-quarters of surveyed school staff indicated that these connections give some young people an advantage over others.
This disparity raises questions about the equitable delivery of the government's commitment to provide two weeks of work experience for all secondary school students. Delivering this guarantee for those under 16 alone would necessitate an estimated six million placement days annually. The report warns that a lack of support and infrastructure risks exacerbating existing inequalities, with the best opportunities continuing to favor the most connected.
Currently, only 58 percent of Key Stage 4 students, aged 14 to 16, are completing work experience. Teachers report significant difficulties in organizing job shadowing and workplace visits, with 94 percent finding job shadowing hard or very hard to arrange, and 81 percent saying the same for workplace visits. Employers cite limited capacity, competing demands, and bureaucracy as major barriers.
Proposed Solutions
Education and Employers is advocating for a new, youth-focused national careers information service. This service would aim to target young people most at risk of becoming Neet and, along with increased investment in employer engagement and brokerage, would help level the playing field for students without family connections.
Nick Chambers, Chief Executive of Education and Employers, stated that while the government's commitment to two weeks of work experience is the right ambition, it will not yield results without the necessary infrastructure, support, and coordination. He cautioned that without these elements, there is a significant risk of advantaging those who are already well-connected while further disadvantaging those who are not.
Earlier this year, former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn described the prospect of one in six young people aged 16-25 relying on out-of-work benefits by 2030 as a "moral crisis." He called for a comprehensive reset of education, welfare, and health policies, warning that the cost of rising Neet numbers could reach £125 billion annually.
In response to concerns about youth unemployment, Marks and Spencer announced it would support up to 1,000 young people in starting their careers. The retail giant plans to offer traineeships to hundreds of 18 to 24-year-olds over the next 18 months, providing a six-month scheme focused on retail management, confidence-building, and hands-on experience, followed by further training before potential full-time employment.