The House of Commons Library states that:
A total of 975,000 people aged 16-24 were NEET in the first quarter of 2014, 13.5% of people in this age group. Not all unemployed 16-24 year olds are NEET and not all people who are NEET are unemployed. 58% of unemployed 16-24 year olds are NEET, the remaining 42% are in education or training. 52% of people who are NEET are unemployed, the rest are economically inactive: not seeking work and/or not available to start work.
In England, the North East, West Midlands, and the North West have the highest proportion of 16-24 year olds who are NEET. Those eligible for free school meals, those who have been excluded or suspended from school, those with their own child and those who have a disability are more likely to be NEET. From the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2011, the NEET rate increased in all OECD countries except Austria, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey.
Current Government schemes with elements aimed at reducing the number of young people who are NEET include: raising the participation age, the Youth Contract and the Work Programme.
In Essex the number of individuals who are NEET aged 16-24 years old stands at 2,237 16-19 year olds (end of Jan 2014). In Colchester its 300 16-19 year olds.
Go4 Enterprises aim is to help as many of these individuals as possible to get back into education, training and employment as possible. if you’d like to support us in our mission then please get in touch via our contact page.