Responding to the interim report of the Milburn review on youth employment

This is our response to the interim report of the Milburn review on youth employment

The report from the Department for Work and Pensions, led by Alan Milburn, shines a vital spotlight on an issue we are deeply passionate about. Newly released data indicates that youth NEET levels have risen again, to near record highs, with almost one in seven people aged 16–24 not in education, employment or training.

At Access Training, we work with hundreds of young people each year, helping them take their next steps into employment, further training, or apprenticeships. Apprenticeships remain a powerful pathway: employers benefit from being able to shape an apprentice’s learning to meet their business needs, while many young people go on to build long-term careers with those employers.

However, more can be done to support businesses in recruiting and retaining young people. Financial incentives, clearer pathways, and stronger support networks for employers would help unlock more opportunities and reduce barriers to entry for young people seeking work.

Corrina Hembury, Managing Director at Access Training, comments:

“We’ve been delivering apprenticeships and training since 1983, and we’ve seen a concerning rise in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). This is alarming and can have long-term impacts on young people’s confidence, wellbeing, and career prospects.

“We are proud that over two thirds of the apprentices we train are young people, reflecting our strong commitment to this cohort. 

“Through partnerships such as those we have with EMCCA, we are delivering free, targeted support to help young people access training and move into employment. There is a clear gap in the support available to many young people, and we are committed to helping bridge that gap by providing practical skills, guidance, and real opportunities.”

We welcome the direction of the interim findings and look forward to the final policy recommendations later this year. It is vital that these lead to sustained, long-term change, creating fairer opportunities, strengthening employer engagement, and ensuring that all young people have the support they need to thrive in the workforce.