Concerns Rise Over Youth Unemployment and Education Policy in the UK
Andy Burnham highlights alarming rise in NEET figures, calls for educational reform to address youth disengagement.
The number of young people classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET) in the United Kingdom has risen to nearly one million, the highest level in eleven years, as warned by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
In a forthcoming speech, Burnham emphasizes that the current education system, particularly the Department for Education's (DfE) policies, is not adequately addressing the needs of this demographic.
Burnham attributes this rise to an education system that prioritizes traditional academic routes over technical education, limiting opportunities for a significant portion of the youth.
Approximately two-thirds of school leavers in Greater Manchester do not pursue higher education, suggesting a mismatch between educational offerings and job market demands.
Recent statistics reveal that the NEET rate has consistently remained at or above 12% for several decades.
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate that the unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 reached 14.8% in February, an increase from 11.9% in the previous year.
Ethnic inequalities are pronounced, with young people from Black Caribbean backgrounds facing NEET rates over double that of their white British counterparts.
Regions also experience disparities; for instance, the NEET rate in the North East of England stands at 15%, while the South West has a rate of 9.4%.
Surveys conducted in Greater Manchester, encompassing around 100,000 students, reveal a concerning trend of disconnection among students as they advance through their education.
While 67% of pupils in year 7 feel a sense of belonging, this figure declines to 51% by year 10. Additionally, reports of 'good' wellbeing fell from 64% in year 7 to 55% in year 10.
In response to these challenges, Burnham will call for a shift in educational policy to ensure parity between academic and technical education.
He proposes the devolution of responsibilities for post-16 technical education, emphasizing that various regions in England have distinct economic needs that should inform educational offerings.
He argues that the current centralized approach hinders growth and fails to account for regional economic differences.
To complement the DfE's English Baccalaureate (EBacc), Burnham has introduced the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), which includes a selection of subjects aligned with seven key sectors in Greater Manchester's economy.
By 2030, he aims to provide every interested young person with a high-quality 45-day work placement linked to T-levels and BTecs.
Burnham's upcoming address at the Institute for Government will further articulate his belief that lasting change requires a reevaluation of the structural and cultural approaches within the British education system.
He proposes that state management must evolve from a top-down model to one that fosters bottom-up growth, integrating education with broader societal components such as employment, transport, and housing.
In a related response, a DfE spokesperson stated the department's commitment to addressing youth unemployment through its Youth Guarantee initiative, designed to assist 18- to 21-year-olds in accessing apprenticeships, training, and job search support.
The DfE also aims to enhance educational foundations by recruiting new teachers, improving career guidance, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and strengthening mental health support in schools.
In a forthcoming speech, Burnham emphasizes that the current education system, particularly the Department for Education's (DfE) policies, is not adequately addressing the needs of this demographic.
Burnham attributes this rise to an education system that prioritizes traditional academic routes over technical education, limiting opportunities for a significant portion of the youth.
Approximately two-thirds of school leavers in Greater Manchester do not pursue higher education, suggesting a mismatch between educational offerings and job market demands.
Recent statistics reveal that the NEET rate has consistently remained at or above 12% for several decades.
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate that the unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 reached 14.8% in February, an increase from 11.9% in the previous year.
Ethnic inequalities are pronounced, with young people from Black Caribbean backgrounds facing NEET rates over double that of their white British counterparts.
Regions also experience disparities; for instance, the NEET rate in the North East of England stands at 15%, while the South West has a rate of 9.4%.
Surveys conducted in Greater Manchester, encompassing around 100,000 students, reveal a concerning trend of disconnection among students as they advance through their education.
While 67% of pupils in year 7 feel a sense of belonging, this figure declines to 51% by year 10. Additionally, reports of 'good' wellbeing fell from 64% in year 7 to 55% in year 10.
In response to these challenges, Burnham will call for a shift in educational policy to ensure parity between academic and technical education.
He proposes the devolution of responsibilities for post-16 technical education, emphasizing that various regions in England have distinct economic needs that should inform educational offerings.
He argues that the current centralized approach hinders growth and fails to account for regional economic differences.
To complement the DfE's English Baccalaureate (EBacc), Burnham has introduced the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), which includes a selection of subjects aligned with seven key sectors in Greater Manchester's economy.
By 2030, he aims to provide every interested young person with a high-quality 45-day work placement linked to T-levels and BTecs.
Burnham's upcoming address at the Institute for Government will further articulate his belief that lasting change requires a reevaluation of the structural and cultural approaches within the British education system.
He proposes that state management must evolve from a top-down model to one that fosters bottom-up growth, integrating education with broader societal components such as employment, transport, and housing.
In a related response, a DfE spokesperson stated the department's commitment to addressing youth unemployment through its Youth Guarantee initiative, designed to assist 18- to 21-year-olds in accessing apprenticeships, training, and job search support.
The DfE also aims to enhance educational foundations by recruiting new teachers, improving career guidance, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and strengthening mental health support in schools.
