Data reveals lowest number of NEET school leavers in five years

  • The Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, launched in 2021 as a response to pandemic recovery, is funding more opportunities than ever before with the launch of several new programmes.

  • School leavers are being encouraged to explore schemes such as Jobs Growth Wales+ and ReAct+, as well as traditional options including apprenticeships and higher education.

  • In West Wales, 87.6% of A Level students chose to continue in full-time education, while 8% entered the labour market.

Exclusive data* from national careers advice service Careers Wales, has revealed a record low in the number of NEET (not in education, employment or training) school leavers thanks to the success of the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee.

The percentage of those finishing exams and becoming NEET has steadily declined over the last few years and now data shows an average of just 1.4% of students across years 11-13 were known to be leaving school with a NEET status in 2021, the lowest figure in five years.

Having not sat formal examinations since 2019, this year’s cohort of GCSE and A Level students are being encouraged to explore a wide range different opportunities as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee, a pledge made by the Welsh Government to support those affected by the pandemic and support them during the period of economic recovery.

The Young Person’s Guarantee, established in 2021, is a commitment to ensure everyone under the age of 25 would have the offer of support to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed.

School leavers are being encouraged to explore schemes such as apprenticeships, Jobs Growth Wales+ and ReAct+, as well as traditional options including college and university, which continue to remain popular choices.

In West Wales, the most popular choice was entering full-time education with 87.83% of students taking this route. A Level students saw 87.6% of their peers continue in full-time education, with a further 8% entering the labour market.

The Welsh Government wants all young people across Wales to understand their options and the different routes open to them once they receive their results.

Working Wales, a service run by Careers Wales, is encouraging those receiving their grades over the coming fortnight to speak to their network of careers advisers.

From help with university applications, finding an apprenticeship, entering work or taking part in one of the several new Welsh Government training schemes for those entering the labour market, including Jobs Growth Wales+ and ReAct+, young people can review their options post-exams with a trained, impartial careers expert.

One young person who has benefitted from support from Working Wales when choosing their next steps after receiving their results is Cerys Beckinsale from Port Talbot, who said:

“I’ve always loved looking after younger children. I grew up in a large family with 11 brothers and sisters. I’ve also developed an interest in how children develop their unique personalities.

“I’ve had lots of support from my school and my careers advisers. They helped me to believe in myself and have given me brilliant guidance about my future.

“I knew I wanted to become a midwife and my Working Wales advisers gave me a step-by-step plan to reach my goal. They helped me understand which subjects I needed to focus on, and what qualifications and grades I need.

“My advice for other young people in Wales is to stay positive and try not to worry too much. Whatever the outcome, there will always be options out there for you.

“Whether you know what you want to do or you don’t, you should speak to Working Wales.”

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “This reduction in the number of those not in education, employment or training is very good news and shows that the Young Person’s Guarantee is working.

“I am determined to ensure that no learner is left behind.  Tackling NEET numbers has, and continues to be, a top priority as it ensures young people don’t end up in a cycle of unemployment and instead are setup for sustainable and quality careers.

“New programmes which have launched in the past year, such as Jobs Growth Wales+ and ReAct+ add to the offering of opportunities afforded to the school leavers of 2022 and I encourage them to explore their journeys into the world of work through these different paths.”

Nerys Bourne, Careers Wales Head of Services for Young People said: “It’s encouraging to see our annual Pupil Destinations survey reveal this kind of data, and it gives us a unique insight into the minds of young people leaving school.

“Knowing that they’re aware of all the opportunities available to them, particularly through the Young Person’s Guarantee, is crucial to their success in their immediate futures – and that’s where we come in.

“I’d encourage any young person receiving their results over the next fortnight to speak to a Working Wales adviser if they’re not sure what to do next, as there are so many options – from apprenticeships and university to the new employment support programmes the Welsh Government has recently launched.”

For more information, search ‘Working Wales Start Your Story’ or call free on 0800 028 4844, speak to an adviser via webchat, or email workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales.

 

References:

*Careers Wales Pupil Destinations Data for 2021 School Leavers – Destinations for 2021 school leavers (careerswales.gov.wales)