Brabin Launches Youth Jobs Plan With £3 Million Fund as West Yorkshire Targets 3% NEET Rate
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 24
Brabin Launches Youth Jobs Plan With £3 Million Fund as West Yorkshire Targets 3% NEET Rate
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 24
Summary
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said every child in the region will complete a work experience placement by age 18 under a new "West Yorkshire Promise" for 14-24 year-olds.
The strategy follows a national review warning 1.25 million young people could be shut out of work or education by 2031, and it aims to make apprenticeships easier for small firms to offer.
A £3 million package will fund new construction placements for 16-18 year-olds, while the combined authority also plans to double meaningful work experience opportunities for pupils in years 7 to 13 within three years.
By 2035, West Yorkshire aims to halve its 16-17 NEET rate to 3% from 6%, prioritising poorer students, those with additional needs and others most at risk of dropping out.
Bradford hosted the launch after cutting its own 16-17 NEET rate to 4% from 6.8% in 2022-23, below the national average of 5.8%.