I was NEET for 2 years. Developing soft skills saved my future My journey from automated rejections to an RSC apprenticeship shows why soft-skills programmes aren’t a ‘nice to have’, they’re life-changing
Let’s ensure this youth guarantee works for every young person The government has finally put serious investment behind young people. Now the FE sector, employers and local systems must prove we can turn this ambitious blueprint into a universal right, not a postcode promise
Our economy won’t grow with almost 1m young people left behind Britain cannot rebuild its economy while a million young people are locked out of opportunity. This Budget must back the Youth Guarantee with real investment, or accept that wasted talent will cost us far more
How NEET providers are propping up a failing system Helping inactive young people get back on track is being hampered by a youth population spike, market instability and inflexible student funding. Jessica Hill speaks to staff and students about what is one of FE’s toughest challenges
White paper’s details pose a devilish problem for FE admin Just as Wells’ Martians were undone by what they overlooked, the post-16 white paper could be derailed by the unglamorous realities of enrolment, coding and timetabling
Milburn’s the man to make us think differently about NEETs If Alan Milburn’s review into NEETs is to trigger lasting change, it must challenge the language, systems and silos that write off young people
Skills providers can help firms tap into economically inactive talent Supporting the ‘economically inactive’ back into jobs presents an opportunity for skills providers to collaborate with businesses in developing innovative recruitment strategies
Compulsory to 18? Too many still drop out at 16 A decade after raising the participation age, thousands of disadvantaged students still leave education at 16—and the gap with their peers is growing. Policymakers must urgently rethink post-GCSE support
They’re not ‘hard to reach’ but the system is closed to them Students who risk becoming NEET often need time, flexibility or a second chance – providers must remove barriers that block them