Marks & Spencer is introducing a paid training scheme for 16-24-year-olds, offering 1,000 places in the UK and Ireland to combat rising youth unemployment, where over 1 million young people are not in employment, education, or training.
Two letters discuss the failings of the UK education system in preparing young people for employment and the challenges of youth unemployment, contrasting current difficulties with easier job prospects in the past.
UK ministers are expanding youth work experience and training schemes, aiming to create 300,000 placements over three years. This initiative addresses a 'quiet crisis' where nearly 1 million young people are not in education, employment, or training (Neet), with almost 60% never having held a job.
