Targeting Young People Not in Employment, Education or Training

Jude RobinsonChildren’s Services

DepartmentArea Manager, Post-14

Learning

National context

• UK unemployment rate for 16-24 year olds 21.5% (1.01M young people) Aug 2012

• 8.1% of 16-18 year olds NEET Dec 2011 - variations by age

• Education Act 2008 – Raising the Participation Age (RPA)

• ‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’ strategy (16-24 years)

The Hampshire picture

• Population: 1.28 million• Key sectors: Finance and business

services; public administration, education and health; retail, hotels and catering

• Unemployment: (16-65 yrs) 2.3%, compared to UK rate of 3.9%

Young people in Hampshire• Statutory education to age 16• A wide range of high quality post-16 options

– schools, colleges, apprenticeships, foundation learning - 40,000 funded places per year £200M

• 90% continue in education or training 16-18 • 5% go directly into low skilled employment

with no further training• 5% are NEET

The ‘NEET’ challenge

• 5.4% of young people in Hampshire are NEET – about 200 young people

• Significant local area variations (from 3 to 8%)

• The most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people - require significant extra support

• From 2013 (age 17) and 2015 (age 18) a legal requirement to participate through RPA legislation

Projects and initiatives (1)

• RPA Framework Plan – incorporating PYE project actions

• Youth Support Service – targeted, commissioned and sold service

• Youth Contract – national programme, local delivery. Extra support for 16-17 year olds with low qualifications

Projects and initiatives (2)

• Education Participation Team – identifying and tracking NEET and potential NEETs

• Pre-16 targeted work placements• Post-16 Work Trials• Internship Plus for care leavers• Award programme for ex-offenders• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Employability Pathway• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship for 16-24

year olds – The Princes Trust • Additional local provision (eg Gosport College)

Conclusions

• A small number of NEETs, but a significant challenge

• Role of Hampshire County Council - champion of children and families; accountable for participation

• Working with a range of partners – schools, colleges, voluntary sector and employers

• ‘Whatever it takes’ commitment

Useful links

• http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/building%20engagement%20building%20futures.pdf

• http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/youngpeople/participation

• http://www3.hants.gov.uk/12.05.31elmcscypp2012-2015_1_.pdf