One out of every eight young individuals are excluded from educational opportunities and employment. This equates to nearly a million potential futures put on hold, resulting in a significant loss of young talent.
Joe* narrowly avoided becoming part of this statistic. Facing anxiety at 17 and at risk of dropping out, assistance from his local council directed him towards the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer program in South Bristol.
Through participation in an employability course and gaining work experience at Fixx Bikes, Joe’s self-assurance flourished, leading him to reintegrate into the education system.
Joe’s experience vividly illustrates the importance of the Youth Guarantee initiative. Over the past months, more than 200 youths in the West of England have received tailored support to transform their lives positively.
Recognizing the need for early intervention, efforts are underway to establish a strengthened ‘Risk of NEET Indicator’ (RONI) as part of an £820 million investment in the Youth Guarantee program. This system aims to identify young individuals requiring assistance before enduring long-term setbacks.
Initiatives such as automatic enrollment in further education, the creation of nearly 300,000 new skill development opportunities for Universal Credit beneficiaries, and the expansion of Youth Hubs to every local community are being piloted. These hubs, exceeding 360 in number, offer a range of services from CV guidance to mental health support.
Acknowledging that addressing the root cause of poverty is essential, investments are being made to combat child poverty. The Child Poverty Strategy unveiled recently outlines plans to elevate over half a million children out of poverty by 2030. Measures include abolishing the two-child benefit cap, widening access to free school meals, aiding families with energy and childcare expenses, and eliminating the inappropriate placement of families with children in B&Bs.
In conjunction with efforts to re-engage children in educational settings, the goal is to provide every child, regardless of their upbringing, with a genuine opportunity for success. This approach is centered on viewing young individuals as the workforce and leaders of tomorrow who deserve unwavering support from their country. It signifies active national rejuvenation.