NEET Prevention | Coaching as a Solution for Youth Unemployment

Youth represents possibility, potential, and the road to greater societal progress. But what happens when that potential drifts off course? For too many young individuals in the UK, becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) is a reality that carries immediate challenges and long-term consequences. The good news? There are actionable strategies that can help. Coaching young people has emerged as a powerful intervention that supports NEET young people and reduces the impact of youth unemployment.

NEET refers to young people, typically aged 16-24, who are not engaged in any form of education, employment, or training. Some may have just left school, college or university and struggle to find their next step, while others face systemic barriers that may extend over years. These young individuals are at risk of missing out on critical personal, professional, and societal opportunities.

How Many Young People Are NEET in the UK?  

1 in 7 young people ages 16-24 are not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the UK.

There was an increase in the number of  NEET young people aged 16 to 24 years in October to December 2024; the total is currently estimated to be 987,000, up from 877,000 in October to December 2023 (ONS 2025).

An estimated 13.4% of all people aged 16 to 24 years in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in October to December 2024. This percentage has increased in recent years and the impacts on the individuals, their communities, and the economy remain significant.

An estimated 13.4% of all people aged 16 to 24 years in the UK are NEET

Why is Preventing NEET a Priority for the UK Government?

Young people falling into the NEET category face significant hurdles, and the ripple effects extend to broader society. Here’s why preventing NEET is a governmental focus:

Economic Impact

NEET young people contribute to increased unemployment rates, reduced workforce productivity, and strain on public welfare systems. Employment: Securing early career pathways is critical to economic growth and reducing inequality.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Long-term unemployment or disengagement correlates significantly with poor mental health, resulting in anxiety, depression, and lower life satisfaction. These mental health challenges can exacerbate individuals’ struggles, creating a cyclical problem that harms them and their families.

According to a report by The King's Trust (2022), being NEET is associated with higher levels of poverty, mental health issues, and involvement in criminal activities. The report also highlights that young people who are NEET are more likely to struggle with finding employment and often face long-term consequences such as lower wages and career prospects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified the challenges faced by young people who are NEET. With businesses shutting down or reducing their workforce, job opportunities for this vulnerable group have become even scarcer.

Understanding these impacts highlights a clear need for providing targeted mental health interventions and promoting engagement early on.

What Causes Young People to Become NEET?  

The reasons behind young people becoming NEET are complex and often rooted in a range of social, economic, and personal factors, including:

• Poor academic achievement or disengagement from school.
• Adverse childhood experiences, including sustained trauma or instability.
• Heightened vulnerability through poor mental health or unmet emotional needs.
• Systemic inequalities, such as socio-economic disadvantage or lack of regional opportunities.
• Lack of individualised career advice or role models who provide direction.
• Lack of pathways into work for young people who have become NEET, e.g. pre-apprentice programmes and solutions that support employers with recruitment and retention of young people.

These factors can contribute to an individual feeling directionless and disconnected from the workforce or education system. As a result, they may become NEET as they struggle to find purpose and fit into society.

In addition to these external factors, internal struggles such as low self-esteem, lack of resilience, motivation or confidence can also play a role in an individual becoming NEET. This can be due to their own personal challenges or societal pressures that often emphasise academic success and traditional career paths.

It's important for society to recognise that becoming NEET does not mean an individual is lazy or unmotivated. Many young people who fall into this category are simply struggling with the overwhelming expectations and opportunities presented to them without adequate support.

The Connection Between Mental Health and NEET Status  

Mental health plays a significant role both as a cause and a consequence of being NEET. Young people facing anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem may initially disengage from school or skip opportunities in personal development that support employability skills.

The stress of being NEET over time compounds their mental health difficulties, further alienating them and making re-engagement harder. Supportive measures such as reducing EBSA must focus on this cycle to break it effectively.

In a nutshell, mental health problems for young people can lead to becoming NEET while becoming NEET can cause mental health problems. It is a vicious cycle.

Supporting young people early on with strategies that support them to manage and prevent mental health problems is key to any NEET prevention programme.

How Does NEET Status Impact Schools or Colleges?  

Educational institutions feel the pressure when young people become NEET. It reflects in:

• Performance metrics and funding tied to student outcomes.
• Attendance and engagement data.
• Challenges in providing adequate resources for vulnerable students.
• Long-term reputational impacts if recurring drop-out rates persist.

This creates a critical need for schools and colleges to identify at-risk students early and implement proactive interventions.

Low attendance is often an indicator of becoming NEET. Schools must provide support and interventions to reduce student absence as part of wider approaches to reducing NEET students.

Supporting Young People At Risk of Becoming NEET  

Prevention is key when it comes to reducing NEET and youth unemployment rates. Here are several ways educators, schools, organisations, and those that work with young people can help those at risk of becoming NEET:

• Early identification of at-risk students using data, personal monitoring, identifying risk indicators and honest communication.
• Delivering tailored mental health interventions that help address underlying challenges that make poor mental health a barrier to education, work or training.
• Fostering an inclusive and flexible learning or training environment that adapts to individual needs.
• Encouraging skills-based learning and career development programmes aligned with students’ interests.
• Increasing young people's individual strategies for resilience and wellbeing to navigate challenges and change.
• Addressing labour market and societal challenges that make access to work harder for young people.
• Providing good jobs and training opportunities that recognise the needs of young people who are NEET.

Why Coaching is a Powerful Tool for NEET Prevention  

Coaching is a targeted, empowering intervention that helps young people reconnect with their potential. Unlike counselling, which focuses on addressing emotional distress, coaching prioritises goal-setting, activates internal resources, builds personal strengths, and enables practical action.

Here’s how coaching can help prevent young people from becoming NEET:

Improves Self-Awareness  

Coaching promotes self-awareness by encouraging young people to reflect on their strengths, interests, and personal motivations. This process helps them understand how their personal qualities align with their goals and aspirations, which can aid in clarifying career paths or educational pursuits. By gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, young people can make more informed decisions about their future and avoid the risk of NEET.

Fosters a Positive Mindset  

Through coaching, young people learn to have a growth mindset - the belief that they can improve their abilities through effort and dedication. This positive outlook encourages them to view setbacks as learning opportunities and persist in the face of challenges. This resilience is crucial for preventing NEET as it allows  

Strengthens Confidence

Through guided conversations, coaching builds self-belief and resilience, enabling students to take ownership of their personal and professional development.  

Promotes Accountability

Young people are encouraged to take small, actionable steps toward building better habits, achieving goals, and re-engaging with education or job opportunities.  

Supports Change and Transition

Coaching provides students with the tools and support to navigate through changes and transitions, whether it be transitioning from one academic level to another, or entering the workforce. This helps them build a sense of adaptability and resilience, crucial skills for success in any aspect of life.

Encourages Self-Discovery

Through coaching, students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and identify their values, strengths, passions, and interests. This self-discovery helps them make informed decisions about their future paths.

Fosters Personal Growth

Personal growth is not just limited to academic or career development; it also includes emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and overall wellbeing which support the prevention of unemployment, economic inactivity and mental health problems.

Supports Long-Term Outcomes

Coaching instils a growth mindset, creating a foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability in an evolving workforce.

How Coaching Can Re-Engage Young People  

Providing access to coaches who are trained to support NEET prevention enables struggling young people to see their capabilities in a new light. A coach can:

• Help them explore career options and facilitate enrolments for training programmes.
• Guide them in overcoming fears or barriers to return to formal learning environments or engaging in work.
• Support and motivate, even through challenging situations or periods of stress.
• Support young people to identify and develop personal resources and strategies to reduce psychological barriers to education, training or employment.

Learn More About Coaching NEETs

If you’re inspired by the idea of supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET, we’d love to help get you started. Access in our free introduction to coaching young people course and learn practical ways coaching can make a difference to young people.  

Are you ready to take the next step? Join our Worth-it Coach Training course, designed specifically to help educators, mentors, and youth leaders develop the skills needed to reduce NEET rates in their schools and communities. Together, we can create brighter futures. Find out More and Apply

References

ONS 2025. Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: February 2025 Access here

King's Trust (formerly Prince's Trust) Power of Potential Report Access here