Neets' on the increase

The number of youngsters not in employment, education or training (Neets) has risen dramatically.

Government statistics show that the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds not currently fitting into the criteria has increased from 9.7 per cent at the end of 2007 to 10.3 per cent at the end of 2008.

A government statistician said that the rise was down to reduced employment amongst young people not in education or training.

Although there are of record numbers of teenagers staying on at school or college, more than 208,000 teenagers are not in training or employment - more than one in ten of the total.

Experts predict the number is set to rise as the impact of the recession kicks in.

The figures show the extra strain on the education system as people are putting off entering the job market for longer.

By the end of 2008, 56 per cent of Neets were unemployed compared with 49 per cent a year before.

A spokesperson for ClickAJob argues that though Neets may not seem competitive, they may have unique experience of great use to the job market.

Many teenagers think they have nothing to offer, so they duck the issue of going out to work, he says.

But while practical skills may be lacking, they may have people skills they are not aware of.

Prowess on the sports field often indicates a team player, and simply chilling with mates suggests a people handling capability invaluable to customer service, he points out.

Best of all is their enthusiasm - what business cannot afford to have new blood, keen to learn and move ahead, all fired up to make something of themselves and their careers?

The news comes as innovation and skills secretary Lord Mandelson pledged not to slash investment in higher education as he praised universities for generating billions of pounds for the British economy.