Building resilience and work-readiness for young people who are not in school or work
Our country is facing a national crisis. Too many young people are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and are struggling to take their next step into meaningful employment or education. The need is urgent with over 58% of young people who are NEET having never had a job and nearly half (48%) are still out of work, training or education a year later (Learning and Work Institute April 2025).
While many organisations are looking to solve this challenge, support can still be hard to navigate, is often short term and is not connected with the Government’s Pathways to Work programmes or employers’ needs.
This is why we are launching an innovation trial to rethink the system.
Our trial
The growing challenges faced by young people not in employment, education or training highlight the need for a specialised service that can link with the broader employment support system. We’re focused on a key outcome: making young people genuinely ‘ready for work’. Our new model is designed with their input, building the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
The first trial is planned for early 2026 in partnership with businesses, communities and government. It will:
- Work with employers to create work placements and introductions to work.
- Incorporate resilience coaching for young people into their other day-to-day support.
- Build upon other intensive support programmes to create a tailored, replicable approach for preparing young people for the world of work.
Aims and impact
We are linking our programme directly with Pathways to Work initiatives to test how well they can work together. Our aim is to provide evidence that can contribute to future policy, proving the value of a NEET-specific approach. Ultimately, we hope to build a more connected and effective support system for young people across the country.
Join us to expand our impact
We’re seeking funders, employers and community groups to help us grow this innovative trial and create a sustainable pathway into work for young people.
You can play a part:
- Funders – invest in testing bold ideas that could transform national practice.
- Employers – offer placements, mentoring and introductions to the world of work.
- Community groups – connect us with young people and help co-design support that truly meets their needs.
Contact us today to be part of building a brighter future for young people.
