UK Taps Marc Bolland to Fight 1 Million Youth Jobless as Review Warns 1 in 6 at Risk
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 30
UK Taps Marc Bolland to Fight 1 Million Youth Jobless as Review Warns 1 in 6 at Risk
4 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 30
Marc Bolland, the former Marks & Spencer chief, was appointed to rally business leaders and advise Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden on getting more young people into work.
Alan Milburn's review warned of a "lost generation," saying one in six young people could be out of work, education or training within five years unless action is taken.
More than 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds are already classed as Neet—the highest level in over 12 years—and the review found six in 10 had never had a job, though 84% want work or training.
The government has already secured backing from major employers for 300,000 work-experience and training placements over the next three years, with Bolland expected to help turn that pledge into broader business action.
Bolland founded charity Movement to Work after the 2011 riots and says it has helped more than 200,000 disadvantaged young people into jobs, giving him a track record the government hopes can scale nationally.
Can 300,000 work placements truly fix a system described as fundamentally broken and costing £125 billion annually?
With mental health fueling youth unemployment, can work experience alone solve this underlying crisis of well-being?
Is technology the key to unlocking youth potential, or is it creating the very barriers that lock them out?
The UK’s Youth Guarantee: Government, Business, and Policy Responses to the NEET Generation
Overview
The UK faces a serious challenge with many young people not in education, employment, or training. Recognizing this urgent issue, the government launched a renewed strategy and asked Alan Milburn to investigate the root causes of youth unemployment. After his thorough review, the government gained strong support from major businesses, leading to a commitment to create 300,000 work experience and training placements over three years. This initiative is designed to give young people the skills and opportunities they need to move into work, marking a significant step toward tackling youth unemployment.