The UK's NEET Challenge: Why Urgent Action Is Needed
- Steve O'Hare
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
Media coverage has recently highlighted the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) – and this should concern everyone with an interest in the UK's future prosperity.
While the issue is not new, the scale of the challenge has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
At a time when employers across multiple sectors continue to report skills shortages and recruitment difficulties, the fact that so many young people remain disconnected from work and learning represents a significant social and economic problem.
Earlier this year, SCLO Consulting Managing Director Steve O'Hare described the situation in stark terms, warning that the UK had "nearly a million young people not in employment, training or education" and that such a position was "pretty awful" for a developed country like the UK.
His comments remain as relevant today as they were then.
Former Government minister Alan Milburn recently said the education, health and welfare systems are no longer fit for purpose in preparing young people for adult life.
"We are at risk of a lost generation," he warned, with young adults facing a "perfect storm" of challenges.
NEET population
The consequences of a growing NEET population extend far beyond employment statistics.
Young people who spend prolonged periods outside education and work are more likely to face long-term barriers to employment, reduced their earning potential.
At the same time, the economy loses valuable talent and productivity.
Government initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, Apprenticeships, expanded work experience opportunities, Skills Bootcamps, Adult Skills and local employability programmes all have an important role to play in turning those figures around.
Successful delivery of those initiatives, however, will require collaboration between central government, local authorities, training providers, employers and other relevant organisations.
Importantly, support must be tailored to the needs of young people. There is no one-solution-fits-all approach here.
Some individuals require skills training, others need confidence-building, careers advice, mentoring or support with health and wellbeing challenges before they are ready to enter employment.
Pathways
Steve O’Hare has consistently advocated for practical approaches that create clear pathways into work.
The UK's NEET challenge is not simply a youth issue. It is an economic and productivity issue too. Allowing large numbers of young people to remain disconnected from opportunity is a risk the country cannot afford to take, especially with the geo-political challenges we face at the minute.
The encouraging news is that solutions exist. The challenge now is ensuring they are delivered at scale and with urgency.
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