There are growing numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training – a group often referred to by the unfortunate acronym “NEET”. Nationally, around 13% of 16 to 24-year-olds fall into this category. While precise figures for Stroud are difficult to establish, the number locally is likely to run into the thousands.
This is not simply a statistic. Long periods out of work, education or training can have lasting consequences, damaging confidence, affecting mental health and reducing future earning potential. The wider economy also pays the price through lower productivity and increased demand for support services.
In rural areas such as ours, the challenge is compounded by poor transport links and a shortage of entry-level opportunities. For many young people, getting to work or training can be as much of an obstacle as finding it in the first place.
The issue has attracted national attention. A major government review is examining why so many young people are falling through the cracks and what reforms may be needed. Ministers have also backed a “Youth Guarantee”, intended to ensure that every young person has access to education, training, an apprenticeship or support into work.
Practical measures will undoubtedly be part of the solution. We need stronger links between schools, colleges, training providers and employers to create clearer pathways into employment and further education. But I believe there is a deeper issue that also needs to be addressed.
Many young people are more isolated than previous generations. The technologies often promoted as tools for connection can, paradoxically, leave people feeling more disconnected and alone. What many young people need is not simply another online platform, but genuine human connection, community and a sense of belonging.
At the same time, our education system can place an overwhelming emphasis on results and performance. Academic achievement matters, but when success is measured too narrowly, those who do not fit the traditional model can be left feeling undervalued. Young people are more than grades, exam results or application forms. Yet too often the system sends a different message.
The challenge facing today’s young people is not a lack of ambition. It is finding a clear route into work, training and a secure future that recognises their individual talents and potential. If we are serious about tackling the rise in young people who are not in education, employment or training, we must focus not only on opportunities, but also on connection, confidence and belonging.
Only then can we ensure that fewer young people fall through the cracks and more are able to fulfil their potential.
