The UK is on course to surpass one million young people classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training), with the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training predicted to rise to 1.25 million (one in six) by 2031, unless urgent action is taken.
Recent figures show that 957,000 young people in the UK were classed as NEET during the last quarter of 2025, with more than half not actively seeking work. In addition, unemployment among 16–24-year-olds has reached 16.2%, the highest level since 2014, and more than three times higher than the overall UK unemployment rate of 5%.
What’s Driving the Rise in NEET in Young People
This rise is largely driven by a combination of social, economic and workforce challenges, including:
- A significant rise in young people experiencing health conditions such as anxiety and depression
- Reduced access to entry-level jobs, with many employers expecting prior experience even for junior roles
- The long-term disruption caused by the pandemic, leaving many young people lacking confidence, workplace readiness and practical, employability skills
- Economic pressures including rising living costs, expensive transport and limited housing, making low-paid jobs increasingly unsustainable.
These challenges have left many young people feeling disillusioned as hard work and education no longer appear to guarantee employment opportunities or career progression. As a result, there are growing concerns that this generation could become a ‘lost generation’, disconnected from the world of work at the same time employers continue to report difficulties recruiting entry-level talent with the right behaviours, communication skills and workplace readiness.
Why Employers Play a Vital Role
This challenge cannot be solved by education alone. Employers play a vital role in helping young people understand the realities of the workplace while providing a clear, accessible pathway into sustainable employment. By investing in young talent, organisations can help rebuild confidence, improve employability skills and strengthen the future workforce.
There are several practical ways employers can help young people transition successfully into employment:
- Create genuine entry-level opportunities and hire for potential rather than experience
- Offer mentoring, training and clear progression pathways
- Improve workplace mental health support and wellbeing initiatives
- Expand apprenticeships and early careers programmes
- Make recruitment processes more inclusive and accessible
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment
Our World of Work training programme is designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment. The programme supports school, college and university leavers, placement students, apprentices and newly employed young workers to enter the workplace with confidence.
Through practical employability skills training and realistic workplace expectations, the course equips young people to develop the confidence and behaviours employers value the most, including:
- Absence and timekeeping
- Bullying and harassment
- Communication
- Office banter
- Social media
- Work social events
For employers, investing in support for young workers can lead to stronger engagement, improved retention and development of more diverse, motivated and work-ready talent pools for the future.
Turning Concerns into Action
As the number of young people not in education, employment or training continues to rise, the conversation must shift from concern to action. Building a more inclusive, skilled and engaged workforce starts with preparing young people for the realities of working life before they become disconnected from it.
If you’re recruiting young workers this summer, get in touch to find out more about our open World of Work courses. Alternatively, if you have a larger intake of young talent, we can design and deliver a bespoke in-house session tailored to your organisation at a time that works for you.
Get in touch on 01942 727200 or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk to find out more.
