Press release
More 16-18 year olds in the county are choosing to stay in
education, employment and training.
A key target for Connexions is to reduce the number of young
people not in education, employment and training (known as
NEET). Nationally all Connexions Partnerships were set a two-year
target of reducing the number of NEETs and the number of 16-18
year olds who we are unaware of their current situation (known
as ‘Not Known’) between 2004-2006.
Connexions provides impartial information, advice, guidance
and support to help all young people aged 13-19 make the right
choices, remove barriers to learning and progression, and
ensure they make a smooth transition to adulthood and working
life. By encouraging young people to stay in education and
training until 19, the Government intends to improve the skills
base and increase participation in learning.
The targets set were to reduce the number of 16-18 in the
NEET group to 5.9% and the Not Known to 5.0%. In Northamptonshire
these have been exceeded, the NEET target was 5.4% and Not
Known just 3.3%, both of which are significant reductions.
Participation in learning has increased with the number of
16-18 year olds in the NEET group decreasing from 1363 in
2004 to 1189 in 2006.
Adrian Bell, Chief Executive of Connexions Northamptonshire
said:
“We are delighted with the results. All our partners
have helped us in what has been a challenging period: job
opportunities for young people remain difficult to find and
we have managed to achieve our target together by becoming
increasingly flexible and offering new types of learning opportunities
for young people.”
Mairi McLean, Chair of the Children and Young People’s
Partnership Board, said: “This is brilliant news. Every
single reduction in the NEET number represents the beginning
of a real opportunity in learning for a young person in Northamptonshire.
This achievement will also bring extra resource to the County
through the Public Service Agreement we have with government.”
The following highlights some of the ways we have been working
to engage young people in education, employment or training.
- Over 100 Personal Advisers work with young people to provide
information, advice, guidance and support to help them make
informed choices and overcome barriers.
- 8 Keeping in Touch workers follow up young people to identify
those at risk of becoming NEET and make them aware of the
help and support available.
- A wide range of publications, leaflets and software are
produced for young people and to support educational programmes
in schools.
- Connexions works closely with the Learning and Skills
Council (LSC) and with schools, Further Education colleges
and other learning providers. In 2006 additional places
in 6th forms and colleges were made available during the
year, including some part time provision.
- Connexions Central Vacancy Unit provides a FREE job vacancy
service to local employers that are looking to employ young
people.
- A range of programmes were organised across the county
to engage NEETs into positive programmes such as Directions
and Work it Out. Directions is a 12-week course, which acts
as an introduction for young people aged 16-18 years to
help them make their way back into education. It enables
them to develop life and learning skills.
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