Supporting strategies for the reduction of NEETS

Participation by 16-18 years olds in learning is declining. This appears to be linked to the growth in the number of NEETs and growth in the number of young people in jobs without training. Unemployment is also highest amongst this group. The percentage of the South West population aged between 16 and 19 that were classified as NEETs in March 2006 for the South West was 6 per cent, which is considerably less than the national figure of 7.9 per cent. In light of the Government’s recent commitment to ensure that young people remain in some form of education or training until 18, this will be a significant issue.

The RSP will:

• Continue to monitor the scale and nature of the NEET issue;

• Work with partners to ensure greater co-ordination of effort.