Young people, employment and apprenticeships

The latest labour market monthly figures show that in the three months to June 2014, there were 3.77 million 16 to 24 year olds in employment, up roughly 60,000 on the previous quarter. Other key figures include that:

• There were 767,000 unemployed 16 to 24 years olds, down 102,000 from the previous quarter and down 208,000 on the same quarter in 2012-2013;
• The unemployment rate for 16 to 24 year olds was 16.9 percent, down from 19 percent in the previous quarter and down from 21.4 percent on the same quarter in 2012-2013;
• The number of 16 to 24 years olds unemployed for over a year decreased to 204,000 from 247,000 and the number unemployed for over two years decreased to 85,000 from 104,000; and
• There are 237,300 unemployed young people who are not in education and do not claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, with 47.3 percent of all unemployed young people not students.

To download the figures visit www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/august-2014/statistical-bulletin.html#tab-12--Young-People-in-the-Labour-Market.

The Department for Education has also published new NEET figures for April to June 2014, which show that:

• Young people aged 16 to 24 who were NEET had fallen by 1.9 percent to 13.6 percent, down 125,000 to 809,000, the lowest number and rate since 2005;
• 19 to 24-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 2.2 percent to 16 percent, a reduction of 104,000 to 663,000; and
• 16 to 18-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 1.1 percent to 8 percent, down by 22,000 to 146,000.

To download the figures visit www.gov.uk/government/statistics/neet-statistics-quarterly-brief-april-to-june-2014.

The Government has decided not to require applicants to the early years apprenticeship to have at least a C grade in English and maths GCSE before they start. Instead, apprentices must achieve these qualifications before completing the scheme.

The Government has also launched a new apprenticeship scheme, entitled Get In, Go Far. This aims to inspire young people to consider an apprenticeship alongside university and benefit from the opportunity to earn while they learn. For further information visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.