Amazon UK Boss Urges Mandatory Work Experience as NEET Rate Climbs to 12.8%
Updated
Updated · People Management Magazine · May 26
Amazon UK Boss Urges Mandatory Work Experience as NEET Rate Climbs to 12.8%
3 articles · Updated · People Management Magazine · May 26
John Boumphrey said rising youth unemployment reflects a “system problem,” not a lack of motivation, and argued schools are failing to prepare young people for work.
Mandatory work experience for over-16s would help close that gap, he said, calling it transformative for teaching skills employers want but curricula often miss.
IFS data show the pressure worsening: the NEET rate rose to 12.8%—960,000 people—by end-2025 from 10.8% in 2022 and is expected to top 1 million.
Employment among 22- to 24-year-olds fell 4.8 percentage points to 66.1% between 2022 and 2025, while 18- to 24-year-olds claiming out-of-work benefits increased by 84,000.
Researchers and youth groups said the rise may not fade with a stronger economy, pointing instead to structural factors including weak student job markets, mental health, AI and employer hiring practices.
Is Britain's youth unemployment crisis about a lack of skills or a lack of decent jobs?
Singapore's youth NEET rate is 3.8%. What is the key lesson the UK is failing to learn?
As AI threatens junior roles, is mandatory work experience a solution or a dead end?
UK Youth NEET Rates at Crisis Levels: Mental Health, Skills Gaps, and the Push for Mandatory Work Experience
Overview
The UK faces a deepening crisis as youth NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rates continue to rise, standing out compared to other wealthy European nations. This issue is rooted in broader inequalities that begin early in young people's educational journeys, affecting their participation and future prospects. A significant factor is the increasing number of young people reporting health conditions, especially mental health issues, which has led to long-term sick leave becoming the main reason for economic inactivity. Without adequate support, placements for those with health conditions remain precarious, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform and targeted interventions.