Approximately one million young people aged 16-25 in the UK are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET), according to David Johnston from The Lord Mayor's Appeal. This issue is the sole focus of The Lord Mayor's Appeal for at least the next three years.
The problem disproportionately affects young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with special educational needs, or those with experience of the care system. However, it impacts young people from all walks of life, including university graduates.
Changes in the world of work are contributing to the challenge. The number of 16/17 year olds with a part-time job declined significantly, from 42% in 1996 to 18% by 2014. Additionally, there has been a 50% reduction in advertised graduate vacancies this year compared to last year, and a decline in entry-level roles.
The Lord Mayor's Appeal aims to bring together businesses, livery companies, philanthropists, and policymakers to address this issue, with the goal of providing young Londoners with the confidence, skills, and experience needed for training and employment opportunities.