CFE - Inquiry into young people not in education, employment or training

CFE responded to the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ inquiry into young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Our submission was informed by our research in this area, including Lessons from history: Increasing the number of 16 and 17 year olds in education and training1 undertaken on behalf of CfBT Education Trust.

The submission focused on two key themes: the composition of the NEET group and the raising of the participation age.

Our response highlighted the need to recognise the diverse nature of the NEET group before identifying the young people at risk of falling into the NEET category. The distinctions between the different sub‐groups of NEETs remain largely under‐researched and the changing composition of the group in the context of rising youth unemployment, is affecting not only those traditionally at risk of unemployment such as the low skilled but those with higher level qualifications.

CFE also identified that raising the participation age (RPA) is likely to have an impact on reducing the NEET rate. However, it must be remembered that the proportion of young people who are NEET had remained stubbornly high in recent years despite a plethora of initiatives, including the September Guarantee and New Deal for the Young Unemployed. For the RPA to be effective the Government must continue to identify and address the reasons why young people are NEET; as these will potentially prevail despite a statutory obligation to remain in education or training.

The full CFE response can be found here.