More Than One Million Young People Left Behind: Why Enterprise Must Be Part of the Solution

Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work: Interim Report lays bare the scale of a growing crisis facing young people across the UK. The finding that more than one million young people are now not in education, employment or training (NEET) should be a wake-up call for everyone involved in shaping the country’s future.

Behind the statistics are young people whose potential risks being overlooked at a time when confidence, opportunity and economic participation are more important than ever.

The consequences of youth disengagement extend far beyond the individual. When young people are disconnected from education and work, the impact is felt across society. Employers face skills shortages, communities lose talent and energy and the economy misses out on future growth and innovation.

As Milburn warns in his report, there is a real risk of a “lost generation” if the barriers preventing young people from accessing opportunity are not addressed. Tackling this challenge requires urgent and coordinated action. Government, employers, educators and charities all have a role to play in creating clearer, more accessible routes into work and ensuring support reaches young people before they become disconnected.

Alongside traditional employment and education pathways, we should also recognise the role that enterprise can play. For some young people, entrepreneurship and self-employment offer an alternative route to developing skills, generating income and building a future when more conventional routes are not working.

At Launch It, we see this every day. Young people who may have struggled to find opportunities elsewhere are given the support, mentoring, workspace and networks they need to turn ideas into viable businesses. In doing so, they build confidence, resilience, leadership skills and a stronger sense of purpose.

Launch It’s mission is not only about helping young people start businesses. It is about creating pathways to opportunity, equipping young people with the skills, mindset and support networks they need to succeed in work and life.

Enterprise will not be the answer for every young person, but it can and should be part of the solution. When we invest in young people’s ambitions whether through employment, education, training or entrepreneurship, we create opportunities that strengthen individuals, communities and the wider economy.

The milestone of one million NEET young people should prompt action, not resignation. If we are serious about building a stronger, more resilient economy and a fairer society, we must ensure every young person has access to meaningful opportunities and the support needed to seize them.

The talent is there. The ambition is there. The challenge now is making sure the pathways are too.

Read the full report at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/young-people-and-work-interim-report