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Government issue plans to help NEETs into work.

The Government has issued a report which sets out how they plan to get more 16-24 year olds into education, training and work.

The strategy comes after recent unemployment figures showed that across the UK there are 1.16 million young people not in education, employment or training.

The project, entitled ‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’ sets out the Government’s strategy to improve opportunities for young people, and includes radical school reforms, vocational education, skills and welfare provision.

Minister for Children and Young People Tim Loughton, said: “Too many 16 and 17 year olds lack the confidence, skills or motivation to stay in education or find a job – we must put this right.

“It makes moral and financial sense to get these young people learning a trade, finding work, or gaining qualifications so they make a positive contribution to their own futures, and to society.

“We are providing £150 million to focus on vulnerable young people and those who have dropped out- getting them thinking about their futures and back into education or work-based training.”

Over the next 2 years the government will provide £4.5 million to help 16-19 year olds access work experience, as well as an extra 250,000 work experience places for young unemployed people as part of the Youth Contract.

The scheme also plans to transform vocational education, and will engage with employers to encourage more to take on 18-24 year old trainees.

Skills Minister John Hayes, said: “We’re taking action to get our young people into education, training and work, helping them get on the path to a fulfilling life, providing the right advice and guidance through a new National Careers Service and restoring a sense of responsibility and purposeful pride in our communities.

“We are also aligning welfare and skills reforms to better support young people without basic skills get up to speed and progress on to jobs and apprenticeships.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .