The UK is facing a growing social and economic crisis. More than one million young people aged 16–24 are now classified as NEET, not in education, employment or training, the highest level in more than a decade. According to a government-commissioned review led by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn, around one in eight young people across the UK are currently disconnected from work or learning, with the UK now ranking among the worst-performing countries in Europe on this issue.
This is not simply a statistic. It represents a generation at risk of exclusion, lost confidence and diminished life chances with serious consequences for the economy, local communities and the future workforce.
Milburn’s report describes the situation as a “record of failure” and warns that Britain risks creating a “lost generation”. The cumulative economic cost of NEET young people is estimated at £125 billion through lost productivity, reduced tax revenues, increased welfare dependency and rising pressure on public services.
At the heart of the problem are deep structural inequalities. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with fewer qualifications, care leavers, young carers and individuals with additional needs are significantly more likely to become NEET. Geography also plays a major role. Some regions and towns have dramatically higher levels of youth disengagement due to fewer local opportunities, weak transport links and reduced access to training pathways.
Mental health is another defining factor. Increasing numbers of young people are economically inactive due to anxiety, depression and neurodevelopmental conditions. Yet many feel unsupported by systems that categorise them rather than actively helping them move towards confidence, employability and independence.
Importantly, Milburn strongly rejects that young people are lazy or unwilling to work. The overwhelming majority of NEET young people want opportunities. What many lack is access, support, guidance and belief that there is a future for them within the labour market.
This is where industry-led education and practical training become critical. At Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) and its educational division, the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA), we see first-hand the transformative impact that vocational training, industry engagement and employer-led pathways can have on young people who may otherwise fall through the cracks.
For many NEET young people, traditional academic routes are not the right fit. What they often need is practical learning, real workplace experience, mentoring and a visible pathway into employment. The fashion and textile industry, one of the UK’s most creative and culturally significant sectors, has enormous potential to provide these opportunities.
Through the Fashion Technology Academy, we offer accessible routes into the industry through:
- Apprenticeships
- Accredited courses from Level 1 through to Level 5
- Work placements
- Industry short courses
- Employability support
- Practical technical training linked directly to manufacturing and production
These programmes are designed not only to teach skills, but to rebuild confidence, develop discipline and reconnect young people with a sense of purpose.
Importantly, vocational education must be seen as equal in value to traditional academic routes. Britain urgently needs more technical talent, more skilled makers and more opportunities that connect learning directly to employment outcomes.
At FEL and FTA, we have seen young people progress from uncertainty and disengagement into sustainable employment apprenticeships and long-term careers within the garment and textile sector. With the right support, many flourish in environments where they can learn by doing and see tangible results from their work.
However, there is scope to do far more. Government support will be essential if the UK is serious about reducing NEET levels and rebuilding pathways into employment for young people. Greater investment in vocational training, employer partnerships, local manufacturing initiatives and supported work placements could dramatically improve outcomes.
There is also a strong economic argument for action. Investing in young people today reduces long-term welfare dependency, addresses skills shortages and strengthens local economies. Sectors such as fashion manufacturing, textiles, repair, sustainable production and technical garment construction all offer real opportunities for employment growth while helping rebuild UK manufacturing capacity.
Industry and education cannot solve the NEET crisis alone. But collaborative models that bring together employers, educators, local authorities and government could make a positive impact.