Not in Education, Not in Employment, Not in Training: Neets.

From 2026, the government will be introducing a new programme supposed to help 16-24 year olds into work. There have been, under various governments of the past, both Conservative and Labour, similar schemes that allegedly help youngsters into work. One remembers the YTS scheme or Youth Training Scheme of the 1980s. This programme was delivered by Margaret Thatcher, and young people were given work placements in various fields. 16 - 24 year olds back then received £25.00 a week, which in those days was a lot of money. Of course, by today's standards, that is peanuts. I was part of this programme, and I cannot say it helped me. However, other people's experiences may differ from that time.

There was also the Employment Training scheme to get young people into work. This came about in the late 80s, and to some extent, it did benefit me. I can reveal that a friend of mine who was on this scheme, like me, was given a placement. After being there for 6 months or so, he eventually found employment with the company he had been placed with. And as far as I know, he is still there today.

There have always been young people not in education, employment, or training. They have been given the moniker "NEETS". For some reason, when it comes to education, employment, or training, they have fallen through the cracks. It could be that they can't be bothered and are quite happy to live their lives on welfare. Or, in other cases, they have for one reason or another been overlooked.

So to deal with this, the government announced an £820,000 package to tackle "NEETS". The mantra says this programme will help one million young people ("NEETS") into work. The programme will create, according to the government website, 350,000 new opportunities. Young people on the UK government's welfare system, known as Universal Credit (which, in my opinion, is not fit for purpose and needs a drastic, root and branch, overhaul), will receive "dedicated support" (I'm quoting the government website here) to help youngsters get off welfare and into work. The word welfare is not used much to describe the benefits system here. Instead, the word "benefits" is used, but this has become, in my humble opinion, a "dirty word". A word that is used to put down and scapegoat a whole class of people. Some of it by reputation, it is deserved. On the other hand, stereotyping a class of folk based on where they live or their income is plain wrong.

Those who do not take up these opportunities will be sanctioned, which means their Universal Credit will be stopped or reduced. That's how the welfare system works in the UK, folks. If you, for one reason or another, some of it genuine and some of it because people cannot be bothered, refuse to do what your job mentor requires, you are sanctioned as explained above. I can see why they do this, but at the same time, in many cases, it is not always necessary.

So this programme kicks off in Spring 2026. According to the government website, youngsters will be able to access job skills, employer networks, and update or produce their personal Curriculum Vitae/resume'. There will be interview coaching. This so the website says, will break down barriers to enable young people to reach their potential. On top of all this, via their job coaches, they will be able to engage in work experience, apprenticeships, wider training, learning, and workplace placements. With a guaranteed interview at the end.

The scheme is being rolled out in Birmingham and Solihull, East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Essex, Central and Eastern Scotland, Southwest and Southeast. Then, eventually, the programme will become available throughout the UK.