Youth unemployment is one of the most pressing economic and social challenges facing West Yorkshire and country. Too many young people remain disconnected from work, education and training, limiting their life chances and constraining the region’s growth potential. The number of young people in West Yorkshire who are under 24 and not in education, employment or training (NEET) is consistently higher than the UK average. Nationally, almost one million young people are now NEET, prompting growing concern about the long-term economic, social and health impacts of labour-market detachment.
West Yorkshire’s leaders have identified youth employment as a priority because of its links to productivity, skills shortages, health inequalities and inclusive growth. Addressing the challenge will require more than traditional employment support alone. It will demand a coordinated, place-based approach that combines skills, work experience, employer engagement, mental health support and targeted interventions for those facing the greatest barriers to work.
This short report brings together perspectives on how to tackle the challenge, alongside practical solutions to improve the support available to young people in the region. The report assesses evidence from three complementary sources: a Youth Employment workshop with 41 young people aged 16 to 24 from across West Yorkshire; an Employer Roundtable involving local businesses in the region; and analysis of Restart Scheme performance data from West Yorkshire. The workshop and roundtable explored the barriers young people face in accessing and sustaining employment, alongside employer perspectives on recruitment and labour market challenges.
Our findings identify a range of barriers to employment, including confidence and wellbeing challenges, health-related issues, transport costs, a lack of skills or qualifications, and a decline in entry-level opportunities. It also highlights potential solutions to help young people across West Yorkshire transition into and remain in employment, including greater access to work experience, more inclusive recruitment practices, improved careers guidance and coaching, and ensuring more personalised employment support.
Thank you to the employers and young people who look part, and to Leeds Beckett University for supporting with the workshop.
Read more in our newly published report: Unlocking Youth Employment: Perspectives from West Yorkshire.
