Oldham sees 24% drop in unemployed young people

Oldham has seen a significant drop in the number of ‘NEETs’ young people not in education, employment or training.

The borough’s NEETs fell by almost 24% in the year to March 2014. That is a drop from 5.5% to 4.2% and is the lowest-ever level for that age bracket.

It means that of the 9,005 young people in that group in our borough only 381 are currently classed as NEET.

National data indicates Oldham now has the lowest rate compared with similar authorities (statistical neighbours) whose average is 5.9%. The borough’s figure is also lower than the national average of 5.3%.

Work to deliver reductions in NEETs, a key target for all local authorities, is spearheaded by the career guidance service provided by Positive Steps, an independent charity, on behalf of Oldham Council.

The local authority also launched Get Oldham Working in May 2013, a flagship campaign working with partners across all sectors to create 2,015 new work-related opportunities by 2015.

That has already seen more than 2,000 pledges made by local businesses and organisations. Over 650 of these have been turned into tangible opportunities for local people including 200 new jobs, 120 apprenticeships, 90 traineeships and more than 200 work experience placements.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, cabinet member for education, employment and skills, said: “It is really encouraging news to see figures putting our NEET rate for 16-18-year-olds in Oldham at its lowest-ever level.”

“There will be several factors at play here. There’s no doubt that the Get Oldham Working partnership has played a role in this – as has the increasing numbers of young people choosing to continue on into further and higher education.

“Get Oldham Working is about building a new future by combining all the assets that we have as a town – people, money, resources and energy – and getting them to work together to create new employment opportunities through measures like committing to use the local supply chain or creating apprenticeships.

“This is really positive news for young people and the borough as a whole – but we know we cannot rest on our laurels and the hard work will continue.”