Preventing NEETs
Unemployment among young people is rising, and it’s easy for the conversation to get pulled into politics. This article isn’t about that. Whoever has the keys to Number 10, the reality on the ground is the same: many young people are trying to build a future in a world that feels harder to enter, harder to afford, and harder to navigate.
The question is simple: how do we help young people build confidence, skills, and real options — before they become NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)?
What we’ve lost: early work, independence, and “proof” of character
In previous decades, many young people had their first taste of work at 13 or 14. Paper rounds. Milk rounds. Sweeping floors in a hairdresser’s. Weekend jobs that were local, practical, and (often) safe.
These roles weren’t just about earning a few pounds. And when it came to a CV, those experiences told an employer something important: this young person can turn up, stick at something, and take responsibility.
A lot of those entry-level routes have faded. So the question becomes: what replaces those early opportunities now?
The Post-16 pressure point: GCSE resits and the risk of disengagement
For many young people, the biggest cliff edge is Post-16. Maths and English are vital — no one disputes that. But the current reality is that if a young person doesn’t achieve a grade 4 or above at GCSE, they are typically required to resit in college.
For some learners, that’s manageable. For others — especially those with unmet or under-supported SEND needs — it can feel like being told: “You didn’t do it. Now do it again.”
If a learner already dislikes Maths and English, or has struggled for years, a resit can become a confidence hit. And confidence is often the difference between staying engaged and switching off.
A practical alternative: Functional Skills earlier, with clear stages
One idea worth serious discussion is this: why not introduce Functional Skills as a structured pathway up to the end of Year 9?
Functional Skills are not “easy”. They are different. They are practical, relatable, and built around real-life application. They also offer something many learners need: progress in stages.
If more young people reached Level 1 and Level 2 earlier, it could open doors. And the mental health benefits of feeling capable — of being able to say “I passed” — shouldn’t be underestimated.
This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about matching the route to the learner, so more young people reach adulthood with qualifications, confidence, and direction.
Apprenticeships: why are employers pulling back?
Apprenticeships should be a bridge into the workforce. But many employers are hesitant. Some of the common barriers are practical. And when an apprenticeship offer is withdrawn because a learner didn’t achieve a grade 4, it can be devastating. It’s not just a lost job — it’s a lost identity and a lost direction.
What we know works: outcomes and belief
At KRS, we’ve seen what’s possible when young people are supported properly. But we’ve also seen how fragile some pathways are — especially when one grade, one requirement, or one cancelled placement can knock a young person back.
Final thought
The youth of today have a rough ride. That doesn’t mean they lack resilience. It means the world they’re entering is different — and in many ways, tougher.
If we want fewer young people becoming NEET, and more young people moving into Training, Post-16 education, and work, we need to rebuild the stepping stones that used to exist. Not as nostalgia. As a practical, modern plan that gives young people a fair start — no matter who is in government.