Support for Neets is a 'top priority' for Wakefield Council
Support for young people not in employment, education and training is a "top priority" for Wakefield Council's new administration, a cabinet member said today.
Coun Matthew Caton, the council's cabinet member for Children and Young People, made the comments following new Prime Minister's Andy Burnham's major announcement on education yesterday. (July 28)
Mr Burnham wants to put technical courses on an equal footing with traditional academic routes for students from Year 10.
It is proposed to link skills training with work experience and connections with employers from September 2028 in a bid to cut the number of young people not in education, training or employment - Neets.
Commenting on Mr Burnham's announcement, Coun Caton - (Reform/Hemsworth) - said: “Anything we can do to create alternative pathways and build a more inclusive education system is positive. So, we’ll examine the detail of this announcement closely.
“Importantly, the council’s new administration is already focusing on support for young people not in employment, education and training in Wakefield as one of our top priorities.
"As a district with a proud trade and industrial background, it’s key that we recognise many young people do not fit into a traditional educational pathway but thrive in more practical environments.
“But the Prime Minister needs to recognise how recent tax rises have damaged our local economy and local businesses.
"Businesses create the opportunities our young people rely on. Any reform which doesn’t look at the huge impact these tax increases have had on our labour market – including for young people entering the workforce for the first time – will ultimately fail.
"We cannot simply welcome a pivot to our education system toward trade and practical training without thriving businesses with which to apply those skills.”
Wakefield Labour MP Simon Lightwood has welcomed Mr Burnham's proposals.
He said: said: "We’ve got to get away from this idea that the only measure of success is going to university. For years, some people have looked down on vocational and technical education, and I think that’s been a real mistake."