UK govt pledges 300,000 new work placements as NEET numbers top one million

The UK government has announced plans to provide 300,000 new work experience and training opportunities over the next three years as it seeks to tackle rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity.

The programme, backed by major employers including Manchester Airport and Gatwick Airport, will offer placements across sectors such as construction, hospitality, health and social care, The Independent reported.

The announcement comes a day after a review into youth inactivity warned Britain risks leaving a growing number of young people disconnected from work and education.

Official figures released on Thursday showed that more than one million people aged between 16 and 24 are now classified as NEETs, meaning they are not in employment, education or training.

The new opportunities will include work experience placements as well as Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, government-funded schemes that combine training, workplace experience and a guaranteed job interview for eligible jobseekers.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said practical workplace experience plays a key role in helping young people build long-term careers.

“The evidence is clear, give young people real work experience and the chances of them building a lasting career increase dramatically,” McFadden said.

The initiative follows a review led by Alan Milburn, which identified limited access to work experience as one of the biggest barriers facing young jobseekers.

The report found many students are expected to arrange placements on their own, often leaving those without strong personal or professional networks at a disadvantage.

Milburn argued that opportunities to gain early workplace experience have become increasingly difficult to access, creating a cycle in which employers seek candidates with experience while young people struggle to obtain it.

The government says the expanded placement programme is intended to help bridge that gap and improve access to employment opportunities across the country.

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