Written - Delivering Skills That Work for Wales Consultation – Reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

In the context of a healthy labour market situation in Wales with historically high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment, we face a continued challenge in the proportion of our young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The number of young people NEET matters: For some of these young people the time they spend outside education, employment or training will have a significant negative impact on their future lives – affecting their ability to compete for jobs and earn a good living, as well as their levels of health, motivation and self-esteem and avoidance of brushes with the legal system. They are missing out on a key part of the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood. This, in turn, has an impact on all of us.

I am pleased to launch this document which consults on proposals to reduce the proportion of young people NEET in Wales. It is the first in a series of themed papers aimed at tackling the issues raised in Skills that Work for Wales – our draft skills and employment strategy.

Skills that Work for Wales sets out our broader skills and employment vision. It is a hugely challenging agenda and one which is of direct relevance to young people NEET and those at high risk of becoming so. Skills are critical to the success of individuals, businesses and communities. One Wales highlights the significance to Wales of a strong skills base and the important role this has to play in closing the gap to full employment.

To maximise participation in learning beyond the age of 16, our vision, as set out in One Wales is to transform learning provision for young people and its attraction to young people by providing more flexible learning options matched by enhanced support and guidance. If enacted, our proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2008, will make this a legal entitlement for all learners. We believe that by increasing the quantity and quality of the options available to young people they will want to continue to participate in learning and training and will be able to see the value in doing so, and be much less likely to drop out of the system.

This consultation document provides a comprehensive analysis of NEET in Wales. Within the context of our mainstream programmes, and in particular 14-19 Learning Pathways, it makes a number of proposals which are intended to ensure that our programmes address the needs of young people NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. The paper is based on three strands of activity and proposes a range of measures within each of them.

• The right systems. Efficient processes for identifying and re-engaging those young people who become NEET.
• The right provision. A full range of learning options to meet demand – to engage young people through sufficient provision at every level and in every style of learning.
• The right support. More targeted and intensive learning and personal support as well as careers advice and guidance to make sure young people know how to access education, training or employment and to enable them to overcome sometimes significant personal barriers to participation.

The document takes into account the independent review on the mission and purpose of further education (Promise and Performance), chaired by Sir Adrian Webb.

The timing of the consultation reflects the importance we attach to increasing the rate of participation by young people in education, employment or training and minimising the NEET dropping out phenomenon. The intention is that the final version, to be published later this year will include a detailed action plan – linked to the action plan for the skills and employment strategy - that can be reviewed regularly.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of this document and I look forward to reviewing the consultation responses.