957,000 Young People In the UK Are Not Working or Studying, Despite the Demand for Tech Skills Surging
New figures from Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work interim report have revealed that nearly one in eight 16-to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in paid work, education or training at the end of 2025. At the same time, employers are staring down a major skills gap in the tech sector: the industry expected to power the next decade and beyond.
Despite government reports repeatedly highlighting the UK’s digital and tech skills gap, Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work interim report has revealed that nearly a million young people are still finding themselves out of work and out of education.
This landmark report also thoroughly disproves the stereotype that the 957,000 16-to 24-year-olds who are not in paid work or training are lazy and lack determination. With entry-level jobs now often requiring experience, young people find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. However, vocational courses that provide career-ready skills with the end goal in mind could be the answer to closing the digital skills gap and opening up clearer routes into paid work and education.
Written by
With four years at Learning People and a solid foundation in IT and Cybersecurity, Chris guides people through the fast-evolving tech landscape and into their dream jobs. He combines hands-on technical expertise with insider industry insights to help learners make informed career decisions.
The Jobs Are Coming, But The Route In Is Broken
Skills England’s first Annual Skills Report has identified that demand across England’s priority sectors - including advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, and renewable energy - is expected to grow by around 24% over the next decade. This means that up to 1.8 million additional workers will be needed in the UK by 2035.
If there is such high demand in these sectors, why are so many young people finding themselves out of work or training? The problem is not a lack of jobs; rather, it’s a mismatch between where young people are now and what employers will need next. Skills England points to shortages, falling employer investment, rapid AI adoption, youth employability gaps and weaker local skills systems as major pressure points.
Young People Are Not The Problem
Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work interim report debunks the myth that young people are actively avoiding education and employment: 84% of surveyed young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEET), wanted to find a job, education or training.
The report also highlights that 61.6% of NEET young people have never had a job, up from 42% twenty years ago. That means many are trying to step onto a career ladder without the required foundational skills. Entry-level roles now often ask for experience, showing that the bottom rungs of this ladder are broken.
Recruitment has also moved behind online portals, automated filters, recorded interviews and AI screening. For a young person without a polished CV, employer contacts or interview practice, the first “no” frequently arrives before a human has even seen their application.
Vocational Routes Matter More Than Ever
All of these findings are indicative of wider systems failures, not individuals that lack drive or ambition. This gives us an obvious solution for this ongoing issue: creating clearer, more accessible routes into paid work.
"Milburn’s report highlights that, despite further education, apprenticeships, and vocational training being vital for young people at risk of being pushed out of the labour market, young apprenticeship starts in England have fallen sharply. With the cumulative cost of youth disengagement at £125 billion, combined with a digital skills gap, clearly urgent action is needed."
Tech Skills Are The Missing Bridge to Employment
A tech career is not just for people with computer science degrees. In fact, 64% of HR professionals say a degree alone doesn’t guarantee the digital or AI capability modern roles require. IT support, cybersecurity, data analytics, coding and project support all rely on practical skills, recognised credentials and the confidence to solve real workplace problems.
For young people who want to earn, learn and move forward, vocational training in tech or project management can help kick-start a thriving career. Career-focused education provides structure and builds evidence for a CV, all while turning interest into credible certifications.
Meet cybersecurity student, Mark
Mark was determined to transition from a career in finance to cybersecurity but wasn't sure where to begin, and didn't want to return to university. He decided to enrol with us to kickstart his career change. Since then, Mark has earned his CompTIA Network+, Security+, and AZ-900 certifications and secured his first role in the industry.
Start With A Practical Route Into Tech
If university or other traditional educational routes do not feel like the right path, that does not mean that a tech career is not viable for you. Our courses in IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, coding and project management are built for people who want job-focused skills, career support and a clearer route into a fulfilling career. Book a call below, and one of our expert Career Consultants will help you choose a pathway of courses that match your skills, experience and future goals.
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