Tackling NEET - Lessons from history

Increasing young peoples’ participation in education and training is an ongoing concern for the UK Government. Current policy initiatives will see the introduction of the participation rate being increased to 17 years old by 2013 and 18 years old by 2015. Despite the expansions in education and training opportunities that will arise from this policy, the UK still faces growing concern for the hardest to reach youth that currently fall into the NEET category (Not in Employment, Education or Training), particularly in today’s economic downturn.
Drawing on this issue CfBT Education Trust have commissioned CfE to provide a review of historical projects aimed at increasing participation to explore lessons that can be learnt. Can past initiatives help us to engage with the hardest to reach 10% and inform future policy development and project delivery? Several important implications have been highlighted within this report, aiming to reduce youth unemployment. These cover implications for strategy; the mechanisms through which programmes work; and the features of individual programmes.
The research details the characteristics of several successful programmes. These include the need for clear paths of progression such as direction to job interviews or work-based schemes; and one- to- one support for young people, setting individual plans with key targets and increasing motivation and confidence. The report also draws on financial support to increase engagement, ensuring high flexibility in the programme, and ensuring the engagement of key employers throughout. For more information:
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