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Alan Milburn has delivered the first part of his government-commissioned report on why increasing numbers of people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training (Neet).
1) This is a very significant and increasing problem. About 1 million young people across the UK are not in jobs, training or education – about one in eight – and things are getting worse.
2) It is very connected to inequality. A constant thread of the report is that these issues are structural, not down to today’s young people being work shy or coddled. And much of this is due to disparities in wealth, background, education, geography or ethnicity.
3) Health issues, including mental health, play a huge role. Health “has become central to who becomes Neet and who stays Neet”, calling this “a story that should disturb anyone who cares about the future of young people in this country”.
4) The social security system does not help. The study estimates that for every £25 the Department for Work and Pensions spends on benefits for young people, it devotes just £1 to helping them back into work, calling this symptomatic of a system which does little to change things.
5) *The labour market is difficult*- Entry-level jobs are becoming harder to get, in part because of this remote recruitment, but also because the roles traditionally filled by younger people – retail, customer service, warehousing – are now either scarcer or more specialised.
6) There are many structural issues . As many young people assume they will never be able to afford their own home, there is a lack of the stability required to plan work or training.
7) This is not about laziness or a generation unsuited to work. They are, however, a product of a changed world: “Young people are different from those who came before them. Not worse. Not lazier. Not less intelligent. But different in ways that have material consequences.”
On another note, in our area we have the NextDoor app and quite a few young ones who specify their ages are offering gardening, patio cleaning, painting and decorating, flatpack assembly just a few that’s offered. So some of them are doing something albeit off their own backs. They get work and reviews so then get more jobs. Most of them are aged 16 -20.
Some schools do T-levels. This is a level3 technical qualifications, equivalent to 3 A levels combining classroom learning with industry placements.students are prepared for skilled employment, apprenticeships or higher education.
This involves a huge amount of work for those in charge finding placements but can lead to students being introduced to the world of work in a practical and guided way.
westendgirl
Some schools do T-levels. This is a level3 technical qualifications, equivalent to 3 A levels combining classroom learning with industry placements.students are prepared for skilled employment, apprenticeships or higher education.
This involves a huge amount of work for those in charge finding placements but can lead to students being introduced to the world of work in a practical and guided way.
Staying with relatives in the US I saw technical workshops attached to the secondary schools where students learned skills related to work before starting paid work.
The High School I went to in the 1960s had really good workshops, many of the skills I use today I learned at 14 or 15
My boy's job came about in the old fashioned way.
Who he knows.
T levels are more than workshop based subjects. The student spends 80% of his time being taught and then 20% on site with
a company. Some of the subjects available , (and these are broad headings are Business and admin, Construction,Creative and design,Digital,.Science and Health. Digital includes software development , Creative includes broadcasting, Construction includes engineering.
The courses are developed with firms and as you might imagine involves a huge amount of work , time and research from the staff.
T~here is a lot about this scheme on line , which I think you would find interesting. I do know it is proving popular where I live.Students only study I Tlevel as it is done in depth .
Ive just read, with great interest all the posts. They show just how multi faceted the problem has become...
I have four teenaged grandchildren so very concerned about their futures in broken Britain. Two are talented artists. Well, the modern technology-obsessed world has no use for them. One wants to be an engineer but is so shy that he will never fight for a job. One aims to teach and will probably be driven out of her job by the awful kids and stress.
Cossy
Sadly, though this had steadily worsened, it’s not a new phenomenon.
The term “NEET” was first coined in 1994 and here we are all these years later with similar issues.
I think what needs to happen, according to circumstances, is that when 18+ turn up at the jobcentre having made a claim to Universal Credit, so much more needs to be done with them by “work coaches” to actually coach them into sustainable work.
These young people should be coming into jobcentres daily and help given every step of the way, appointments with better trained coaches lasting more than 10 minutes should take place and much closer connections made between job centres and local employers, better grants available to local employers to take on entry level staff and a limit put on how long an 18+ year old can claim benefits, particularly if they’re childless and still living at home with parents.
There need to be the jobs there in the first instance and there should be incentives for those prepared to take jobs and penalties for those not prepared to look for work.
Bring back proper school career officers and look at secondary school curriculum to be more attuned with work.
I agree Cossy. It's not a new problem but now an escalating problem and the UK now compares unfavourably towards Neet figures across the EU- only Romania lags behind.
School career advisor structures have weakened over the years with stretched school budgets and priority on SATs, GCSE grade results etc. I agree the school curriculum needs more diversity, to suit different ability ranges and more vocational routes for 14-18 year olds could dovetail with society job gaps.
Covid had a big impact and the number of resits on core English and maths GSCEs has grown. MH declined at the same time CAMH NHS services for children has grown ever longer waiting lists.
Children and teenagers spend so many hours on line ( which has many risks) which reduces face to face communication and social skills......
watermeadow
I have four teenaged grandchildren so very concerned about their futures in broken Britain. Two are talented artists. Well, the modern technology-obsessed world has no use for them. One wants to be an engineer but is so shy that he will never fight for a job. One aims to teach and will probably be driven out of her job by the awful kids and stress.
I would wait and see how they get on.
Engineer - if he shows up for interview, he may be ok.
Teacher - some teachers do stay in the profession.
Artists - I more agree with you on that one.
If they are able to combine it with something else, like IT, that might be helpful.
Book illustrator?
LemonJam
Ive just read, with great interest all the posts. They show just how multi faceted the problem has become...
Isnt it just?
"Perfect storm" really. As some things in life become.
I hope that people critcising the secondary school curriculum have taken the time to read through the programmes of study. This, for example, is Design and Technology.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c99ebed915d6969f46087/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Design_and_technology.pdf
The other huge problem for young people starting work is the growing use of AI and robots. The workplace is changing fast.
There also is a big issue for children with special needs, ranging from low level dyslexia, social anxiety, ADHD up towards disabilities.
My friend's daughter missed a lot of schooling over a long period because of a significant health issue as a pre teen. She lost much bodily function so had to learn to walk, talk etc again plus cope with further surgeries. She missed her social peer group as in hospital for so long but wanted to go back to her usual class. She caught up as best she could but had to resit GCSE Maths several times as an entry route qualification for health and social care.
She earns to get an entry level job in H and SC and eventually qualify as a nurse. She has spent much moons and time to pass her driving test so she can be mobile for out of hours work. She has been successful at interview and offered a HCA post- subject to Occupational Health Clearance. She was open and honest about her residual disability and needs some reasonable adjustments. ie building up from part time her to full time, regular breaks and no 12 hour shifts until she builds up her experience and resilience. The NHS employer rescinded the job offer and said it needs someone up and running with 12 hour shifts straight away.
She is heart broken and has gone back into her shell feeling no one will ever want to employ her after all the effort she has put in to get where she is.
What is needed in investment, support to work with Neets and sate employers like the NHS to work in partnership in such circumstances.
Mamie , you are right. I have posted a few posts about T levels which I thought others would find interesting, but so far there's been no comment. There is a lot on line too. The curriculum has changed , and probably many times since since most of us were at school. Perhaps we should try to keep up to date.
fancythat
LemonJam
Ive just read, with great interest all the posts. They show just how multi faceted the problem has become...
Isnt it just?
"Perfect storm" really. As some things in life become.
I agree fancythat. It feels like a moment in time, a fork in the road, where the country needs to take stock and decide wither I is going to address this issue or whether it continues to worsen.
It feels the right time for better citizen welfare- particularly for children/Neets and older adults.
We got the Beveridge report after WW2 and the birth of the NHS- we also had the 1944 Education Act that overhauled to schooling system and introduction of Grammar schools, Secondary Modern and Technical Schools.
The posts on his thread show the multi faceted issues that need addressing. I feel the time is right to overhaul the education again so it is fit for purpose for the modern world. Plus the time is right to consider a National Social Care Service to serve our ever growing older population.
Taking it back even further my lads school handed out so many detentions (deserved or not) that the final outcome was suspension.
My boy was over the moon to be suspended, even though he was given consequences at home, too.
A lot were suspended, and told tat they would havw to attend a special unit - except te special unit never happened.
So months spent at home, parents who have no choice but to work, and should be able to, and nowhere actually for the teens to go and be supervised.
I despair at the whole situation.
I'm so glad I'm not a teacher: I take my hat off to them.
Grantanow
I notice TV interviewers almost never identify the graduate NEET's former university. One suspects these are not Russell group and more likely to be former technical colleges. And often they don't identify the graduate NEET's degree subject which may have some bearing on employability.
The NEET graduate on the BBC News last night, the point was made that he graduated from a high ranking university with a good degree.
Calendargirl
Grantanow
I notice TV interviewers almost never identify the graduate NEET's former university. One suspects these are not Russell group and more likely to be former technical colleges. And often they don't identify the graduate NEET's degree subject which may have some bearing on employability.
The NEET graduate on the BBC News last night, the point was made that he graduated from a high ranking university with a good degree.
Very interesting to see that law graduates are having difficulties, as much of the research work they did as trainees is now done by A1.
LemonJam
fancythat
LemonJam
Ive just read, with great interest all the posts. They show just how multi faceted the problem has become...
Isnt it just?
"Perfect storm" really. As some things in life become.I agree fancythat. It feels like a moment in time, a fork in the road, where the country needs to take stock and decide wither I is going to address this issue or whether it continues to worsen.
It feels the right time for better citizen welfare- particularly for children/Neets and older adults.
We got the Beveridge report after WW2 and the birth of the NHS- we also had the 1944 Education Act that overhauled to schooling system and introduction of Grammar schools, Secondary Modern and Technical Schools.
The posts on his thread show the multi faceted issues that need addressing. I feel the time is right to overhaul the education again so it is fit for purpose for the modern world. Plus the time is right to consider a National Social Care Service to serve our ever growing older population.
Would you start with the current National Curriculum or a structural change in schools?
Mamie
LemonJam
fancythat
LemonJam
Ive just read, with great interest all the posts. They show just how multi faceted the problem has become...
Isnt it just?
"Perfect storm" really. As some things in life become.I agree fancythat. It feels like a moment in time, a fork in the road, where the country needs to take stock and decide wither I is going to address this issue or whether it continues to worsen.
It feels the right time for better citizen welfare- particularly for children/Neets and older adults.
We got the Beveridge report after WW2 and the birth of the NHS- we also had the 1944 Education Act that overhauled to schooling system and introduction of Grammar schools, Secondary Modern and Technical Schools.
The posts on his thread show the multi faceted issues that need addressing. I feel the time is right to overhaul the education again so it is fit for purpose for the modern world. Plus the time is right to consider a National Social Care Service to serve our ever growing older population.Would you start with the current National Curriculum or a structural change in schools?
I am not an education specialist Mamie and others are better qualified than me to have the answers.
But looking at all the posts on this thread, I feel it needs a root and branch overhaul - so both curriculum and pre-school/ early years/school/ college- structural change.
Age appropriate skills development in issues like resilience, citizenship, online risks, building healthy relationships etc being built in at each stage...
We are not just equipping children academically and vocationally that is, but to be a healthy, future, productive and , law abiding citizen.
Who would teach the skills required though? Teachers are qualified to teach for example maths, English, history, etc etc. none to my knowledge are qualified to teach the skills outlined above. In that case, who will do it?
I doubt any UK politician is capable of bringing about significant economuc growth and thus jobs so I think the 'answer' will be government-funded placements which will not lead to real jobs.
Silvershadow
Who would teach the skills required though? Teachers are qualified to teach for example maths, English, history, etc etc. none to my knowledge are qualified to teach the skills outlined above. In that case, who will do it?
Its not beyond the realms of possibility to roll up such skills together and a teacher qualification in this area?
Cossy
fancythat
Also, may not be the same everywhere, there are always jobs in the care sector.
A few years ago, some of my daughters' friends couldnt get a job.
They went into caring. To their surprise they loved it. Became nurses, and love that too.
I know that would not be the same for everyone.I think across the UK there are opportunities in the care sector. The roles do vary from admin, to actual care, cleaning, laundry, kitchen. As you say it’s not for everyone but there are opportunities to be trained and move up.
A young girl was interviewed on tv yesterday, saying the only jobs available were the Army or Care; bottom of the pile in interest it seems.
I remember a friend voting Leave in the Ref. to make young people do the jobs we ship immigrants in to do.
That worked well, didn't it.
LemonJam
Age appropriate skills development in issues like resilience, citizenship, online risks, building healthy relationships etc being built in at each stage...
We are not just equipping children academically and vocationally that is, but to be a healthy, future, productive and , law abiding citizen.
It is probably helpful to look at this LemonJam.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe/personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-education
It is a statutory requirement.
After many years as teacher and advisory teacher I was an Inspector of IT in schools and was responsible for putting National Curriculum requirements and workable safety frameworks in place for schools in our LA .
I don't envy my colleagues who are dealing with current issues, but I do know that to implement educational change you have to start by understanding and building on what is already there. PSHE is a major focus for Ofsted inspections.
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