Policy hub

As the national What Works Centre for youth employment, our vision is a society where all young people have equitable access to good work. 

With a specific focus on marginalised young people, we help build understanding of ‘what works’ for youth employment and apply those insights in practice. 

By finding, generating and sharing high-quality evidence, we support policymakers to maximise the impact of investments and decisions made at the national, regional and local level, creating real change.

Learn more about us or get in touch with our policy team for more information.

Discover how we’re generating high-quality evidence and putting it into action to drive system change for youth employment.

The challenge

The proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (or ‘NEET’) is increasing across the UK. While it’s remained stubbornly high for two decades, it has grown by a quarter since 2021 with 900,000 – or 1 in 8 – young people currently NEET. 

This is a persistent challenge that is known to particularly affect young people facing additional barriers to employment such as young people living with a disability, from ethnic minority groups, with experience of a mental health condition, or experience of the care or criminal justice systems. 

Explore our 2023 report Risk factors for being NEET among young people for more information.

Find out more about Building Futures our programme to develop and test a package of targeted support for young people aged 14-16 at risk of becoming NEET and build evidence of what works to address these barriers.

What the evidence says

So far, existing research indicates that apprenticeships could have a high positive impact on youth employment outcomes. On average, for every 10 young people who take part in an apprenticeship, one will get a job who wouldn’t have done so without the targeted support.  

Similarly, on-the-job training – such as supported internships, traineeships and vocational training – could have a positive impact on youth employment outcomes. On average, for every two young people facing additional barriers, one will get a job who wouldn’t have done so without the intervention. 

Youth participation

Throughout our work, we proudly involve the voices, perspectives and participation of young people experiencing marginalisation, through our Future Voices Group, our young Board members and beyond.