957,000 Young People In the UK Are Not Working or Studying, Despite the Demand for Tech Skills Surging

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. 

"Alan 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.