WIREDGOV

Fewer 16 to 19 year olds not in employment, education or training.

Every local authority in Scotland has seen a decline in the rate of its young people classified as NEET (not in employment, education or training).

The figures shown cover those aged 16 to 19, up to November last year and also show that all but three local authorities had seen a decrease since 2008.

Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment Angela Constance said:

“A decline in the rate of young people not in education, employment or training in every local authority compared to last year is very welcome news. This chimes with the most recent school leaver destination figures that showed the proportion of school leavers staying in a positive destination after leaving school reached 90 per cent in March 2014 – the highest level on record.

“However, supporting more young women and men towards work remains a key priority for the Scottish Government. In response to the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce on 24 June, the Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with local government and other stakeholders to deliver world class vocational education, training and to create more jobs and opportunities for the young people of Scotland.

“An initial £4.5 million package of measures to support implementation of these recommendations includes piloting foundation apprenticeships to enable young people take the first steps towards work before leaving school, developing the careers advisory service and addressing a number of equalities issues.

“This work complements Curriculum for Excellence which ensures a tailored education for all pupils and Opportunities for All which guarantees an offer or a place in training or education for all 16 to 19 year olds.”

Notes To Editors

The statistics being released provides a general estimate of the level of the Local Authority NEET group which is consistent over time and between local authority areas.

The official measure for the headline NEET statistic for Scotland should be taken from the recently published results from the Annual Population Survey (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/05/4201).

The Official Statistics publication can be accessed at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/LANEET< /a>