Are you 16 - 24 and not in education, employment or training? Here's what you can do

Are you, or someone you know, aged 16 to 24 and not in education, employment or training, often called a ‘NEET’?

If so, you’re not alone. In fact, the number of young people in this situation is rising.

Recent figures show that from April to June, 948,000 young people in the UK were NEET – up from 923,000 earlier this year.

That’s a big number and it’s something ministerial figures are calling a ‘societal and economic disaster’.

But there is help available. Whether you left school early, took a break from work, or just don’t know what to do next, there are programmes, people and support ready to help you move forward.

Why this matters

Under the Education and Skills Act 2008, every local authority in England is required to help 16 and 17-year-olds stay in education or training. The goal is to make sure you have the best chance of building a future you feel good about.

But laws aren’t always enough. That’s why knowing what support is out there can make a huge difference.

Support if you’re aged 16 to 24 and not in education, employment or training

Local councils, colleges and schools

Your local council, school or college is often the first place to go for support. They work together to spot young people who might be at risk of falling behind and offer personalised help to get you back on track.

For example, Sheffield council has careers staff who will sit down with you, get to know your situation, and help you create a plan that works for you.

They can offer support with:

• exploring your career options
• planning your next steps in training or education
• learning new skills
• searching for jobs and apprenticeships
• writing your CV, filling in applications and preparing for interviews
• accessing emotional health and wellbeing support
• finding help for issues like speech and language needs
• advice about benefits and financial support

Even if you're not sure what you want to do next, just reaching out can open doors you didn’t even know were there.

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service offers free careers advice for people of all ages. Whether you’re just starting out or changing direction, they can help you make informed choices about your future.

• visit their website or call to speak with an adviser
• get help choosing a career path or course
• find training opportunities near you

Youth organisations and charities

Groups like The King’s Trust and other youth charities run programmes, mentoring, and training to help you build your confidence and develop the skills employers are looking for.

These programmes often include:

• team-building and personal development activities
• work experience placements
• help with CVs and job interviews
• one-to-one mentoring

Thinking about going back to education as an adult?

If you’re over 19 and thinking about giving education another go, whether to change careers, learn something new, or just for personal growth, there are loads of free courses and financial help available.

Free courses for mature learners

• Free courses for jobs – training that can lead straight to work in in-demand industries.
• Skills bootcamps – short, intensive courses in areas like digital skills, construction, or green energy.
• Multiply – free maths courses if you didn’t get a GCSE grade C/4 or above.
• Essential skills – courses in English, numeracy and digital skills – classroom or online, full-time or part-time.

Read more about the educational opportunities and financial support for mature students in our guide.