NEET figures reinforce the case for collaboration (1)
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures provide another important reminder of the scale of the challenge facing young people and the labour market. While the number of 16–24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) has fallen below one million to an estimated 981,000 between April and June 2026, it still remains 30,000 higher than the same period of time last year.
For those of us working at a local level to improve the skills landscape, the figures are a call to action.
Business West delivers the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for West of England and North Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset. We consistently highlight the importance of education and training providers, businesses and local authorities working together to develop solutions that meet the needs of young people and local businesses. There is not one single intervention that will solve challenges like this one, but with continued collaboration we can make progress towards a stronger skills landscape that supports the local economy. The upcoming Milburn ‘Young People and Work’ report, due to be published later this year will also be particularly important in highlighting recommendations for action
In terms of businesses and education working together, recent announcements by firms such as Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are encouraging.
Sainsbury’s has announced a new Modern Work Experience Programme creating approximately 10,000 opportunities over the next year, with a particular focus on communities where young people face greater barriers to entering work.
Morrisons has also announced its Proper Jobs: Fresh Start programme, offering 1,000 fully funded apprenticeships for young people by 2030, combining real workplace experience, qualifications and a route into longer-term careers.
Employers have a vital role to play in improving the skills landscape, but it’s not a task for them alone. The LSIPs give us a platform for understanding skills needs of local businesses, but also to help make connections happen between those organisations that can make a difference.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can work together, get in touch with the LSIP team here.
Read more about the latest LSIPs here.