The Government has today published plans to increase the participation of 16-24 year olds in education, training and work.
‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’ sets out the Government’s strategy to improve the opportunities for young people, so they can succeed in education and training and gain the skills they need to secure an apprenticeship or employment. It includes radical reforms to schools, vocational education, skills and welfare provision.
The majority of young people stay in education and make a positive transition to adult life and the world of work. But recent figures show that 1.16 million young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET). In the current economic climate the Government wants to do all it can to help young people, particularly the most vulnerable, develop their skills, gain the right experience and succeed in adult life.
Getting more young people active and engaged in their own learning and development, and subsequently into work, will make a lasting difference to their future prospects, help to raise levels of social mobility, and is central to the Government’s plans to stimulate economic growth.
‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’ includes five priorities for action
- Raising attainment in school and beyond to ensure that young people have the skills they need to compete in a global economy;
- Helping local partners to provide effective and coordinated services that support all young people, including the most vulnerable, putting us on track to achieve full participation for 16-17 year olds by 2015;
- Encouraging and incentivising employers to inspire and recruit young people by offering more high quality apprenticeships and work experience places;
- Ensuring that work pays and giving young people the personalised support they need to find it, through Universal Credit, the Work Programme and our Get Britain Working measures; and
- Putting in place a new Youth Contract worth almost £1 billion over the next three years to help get young people learning or earning before long term damage is done.
