One out of every eight young individuals face barriers to education and employment, impacting nearly a million potential futures. This represents a significant loss of talent among the youth population.
Joe* narrowly avoided joining this statistic. At 17 years old, battling anxiety and at the brink of quitting school, assistance from his local council directed him towards the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer program in South Bristol.
Through participating in an employability course and gaining work experience at Fixx Bikes, Joe’s self-assurance grew, leading him to reengage with formal education.
Joe’s experience underscores the importance of initiatives like the Youth Guarantee. Over 200 young people in the West of England have benefited from tailored support since June, helping them to turn their lives around.
Recognizing the need for early intervention, a strengthened ‘Risk of NEET Indicator’ (RONI) is being introduced as part of an £820 million investment in the Youth Guarantee. This system aims to identify young individuals who may require assistance before long-lasting setbacks occur.
Efforts are underway to pilot automatic enrollment in further education, providing nearly 300,000 new skill development opportunities for those on Universal Credit. Additionally, the expansion of Youth Hubs to every local area, totaling over 360 centers, will offer a range of services from CV guidance to mental health support.
Addressing the root causes, combating poverty is crucial in resolving this issue. Investments are being made to combat child poverty through the Child Poverty Strategy, targeting the upliftment of over half a million children from poverty by 2030.
Actions include the removal of the two-child benefit cap, expansion of free school meal programs, assistance with energy bills and childcare expenses, and the elimination of placing families with children in inappropriate accommodations – initiatives that have long been advocated for by Mirror readers.
Coupled with efforts to facilitate students’ return to classrooms, these initiatives aim to provide every child, irrespective of their upbringing, a fair opportunity to succeed. This approach envisions young people as the future workforce and leaders who deserve a supportive nation. It signifies a tangible step towards national revitalization.