The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has revealed that the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) is at a record low.
There are fewer than 75,000 16-24 year olds not in employment or training, which is the lowest figure since NEET levels began over 15 years ago.
BIS also found that:
- Apprenticeship levels have fallen consistently since 2011, with the last Parliament creating 2.3m apprenticeships in the past four years.
- The number of 16-17 year olds in education and training has hit its highest point since 2000, with its employment levels rising by 10.9 per cent.
- 16- to 24-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 0.4 percentage points to 13.1%, down 23,000 and at its lowest level since 2004
- 19- to 24-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 0.3 percentage points to 15.7%, a reduction of 12,000 on last year
‘‘Today we have yet more evidence this government is delivering on its commitment to get all young people either learning or into work,’’ stated Nick Boles, the government Skills Minister.
‘‘While the proportion of young people NEET is at its lowest for this time of the year since 2004, we will not stop there.’’
‘‘Our focus remains firmly on equipping all young people with the skills they need – not least through our pledge to deliver 3 million new apprenticeships in this Parliament.’’
