The recent Milburn Review revealed that more than one million young people aged between 16-24) are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The report - commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, warns the country is at risk of a "lost generation.”
Sadly, Peterborough is overrepresented in these statistics, and there may be young people, parents and other family members, teachers or friends who are concerned about someone they know whose short-term future is unclear.
Perhaps that young person has been at school, or home educated. Maybe they are thinking about whether to continue, or go to college, or go into work or even set up their own business, but are unsure which workplace would suit them. Or perhaps they have personal challenges that are preventing them from thinking about work.
PCC Assistant Head of Service for Education Employment and Training Fran Haunch, said: “What was really clear from the Milburn report was that it’s not the young person’s fault that they’re not in education, employment or training.
“Moving from school into the world of work or further training presents barriers to them that are really hard.
“So I would like young people to know they are not on their own, that this is not unusual or their fault, and we are here to help”.
The mission in Peterborough is to empower young people to build successful and fulfilling futures for themselves, and for our city, through education, training, and employment opportunities.
That can be achieved through Education, Employment and Training (EET) Coaches - dropping the 'Not' from the acronym is far more positive - who offer friendly information, advice and tailored support to help participants move forward.
The coaches work to create a personalised plan to identify and achieve goals at a pace that suits young people. Meetings can take place via video call on Microsoft Teams or by telephone, or at the drop-in Youth Hub* based at the Posh ground.
The coaches can offer help including
- Identifying strengths and exploring options
- Building skills through courses, work experience or volunteering opportunities
- Explore further education or training options
- Create or update CV/application forms
- Search for jobs and apprenticeships
- Interview techniques
- Signpost to other support services such as mental health support.
Fran said: “One of the first things our coaches will try to find out is the young person’s circumstances, and the particular challenges.
“We don’t want make any judgements about that - it could be struggles with mental health, or perhaps not having qualifications, or perhaps not knowing what they want to do at all with themselves.
“Sometimes it’s simply a case of rediscovering what the young people enjoy, if their life has been put on pause. Finding out what makes them tick is often the start of our support.”
The coaches and advisors are a diverse team, with multiple life experiences of their own; some were in study themselves not too long ago, others have moved across to the role from a range of careers.
All of them, however, have the same passion for helping youngsters feel confident, independent, and ready for their future.
If you are a young person aged 16-21 and would like to explore how we can work together to achieve your goals and aspirations please get in touch. (EET@Peterborough.gov.uk).
You don't have to be ready to start education or employment right away but we can be there with you as you travel along that journey towards it. We are really happy to help and look forward to hearing from you
Examples of how young people have been helped include:
- A young person who had barely socialised with anyone in several years, who is now accessing mental health support and actively engaging in interview practice and work experience.
- Someone who had struggled with routines and self-confidence for several months; he is now engaged in a short course to build his self-esteem, and has also started boxing training to improve his mental and physical fitness.
- A young person who has set up her own cleaning company, gaining clients and putting together a CV and applications for funding for set-up costs.
- A young person who had been unable to complete an apprenticeship for personal reasons has overcome their disappointment, to now start a different apprenticeship in another area - which has greatly empowered and motivated them.
- A young person who had a poor school experience through medical setbacks; a chat with a coach lifted some of his self-doubt, and he is now applying for apprenticeships and volunteering.
Cabinet member for Children and Young People Cllr Katy Cole said: “Our EET team do a marvellous job in helping those young people who may need some extra assistance in finding the right path in life, and their guidance has helped so many young people get back on track.
‘Their positivity and passion for our young people is fantastic, and we would encourage anyone who is aged between 16 and 21 and is apprehensive about their future to talk to them.”
*The Youth Hub is Free, and is funded as part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazers Scheme with the support of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). It is being led and hosted by Peterborough United Foundation, in partnership with CPSL Mind, JobCentre Plus, and the Department of Work and Pensions. Youth Employment Hub - The Posh Foundation