New Report Expresses Concern Over Employability of 'Neets'

A new report on the issue of ‘Neets’ has said that too many young people lack the social skills needed to get their first job.

The Work Foundation says more than 450,000 Neets - youngsters not in education, employment or training - have never had a regular job.

Paul Sissons, the reports author, said young people can lack the "soft skills" needed for the jobs available to them in the service sector.

Speaking in support of the new report, Shaks Ghosh, chief executive of the Private Equity Foundation said: "We know that if young people haven't got on to the first rung of the job ladder by 24, they will suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives."

Adding: "Some will never work. That's why this research is so shocking.

"Many Neet young people face a Catch-22. They don't have the so-called 'soft skills' employers are looking for, but often the only opportunity to learn those skills is on the job."

The report, Lost in Transition, says that the growing number of Neets reflects a major shift in the labour market in the past decade, which has caused a mismatch between the jobs available and the skills of those who are out of work.

It means that more than half of Neets will never have had any sustained experience of a job.

The number of youngsters classified as Neet is approaching one million. Updated figures expected to be published this week.

(H)