AROUND 20% of those born at the turn of the century in the UK face leaving school without a job or university places because of flawed education policies.

Research found almost 121,000 pupils run the risk of being classified ‘neet’ – not in education, employment or training – by the time they finish compulsory education.

White, working class boys are significantly more likely to end up on benefits than other ethnic groups, while those experiencing a period of neet before the age of 24 will earn around 11% less than the national average well into their 40s.

In total, they will lose up to €300,000 in lifetime earnings compared to those who go onto university and graduate with a degree, the study found.

Jenny North, director of policy and strategy at Impetus, the group behind the study, recommended a shake-up of the Ofsted inspections to rate schools on the extent to which they provide pupils with employability skills.

She said: “Britain needs a vision for the youth labour market, one which recognises our neet problem is structural and long term, not just a hangover from the recession.”

From 2015 all pupils will be required to stay in education until the age of 18.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Indubitably correct Fred. But at risk of annoying you further, 40% of those gaining degrees in the U.K. are working in jobs far below degree status. University education is no guarantee of a good job. It is probably true in Spain too. Maybe O.P. could supply relevant Spanish figures?

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