The percentage of young people aged 16 to 24 in Wales not in education, training or employment (NEET) was 10.7% in the year ending September 2024.
Of this group, individuals aged 24 had the highest NEET rate in the period at 18.8%.
Recent research in the UK commissioned by Grant Thornton UK LLP has found that although there’s growing recognition of the benefits a school leaver apprenticeship can offer, almost one in five (19%) of those young people surveyed do not believe they have received good careers advice about a school leaver apprenticeship.
Most also still felt pressure to go to university, with parents and teachers noted as the top sources. Just over one in five (22%) are considering or currently doing a school leaver apprenticeship.
The Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee has recently launched The Routes into post-16 education and training inquiry. This inquiry is examining the quality of information given to learners about the full range of post-16 options in Wales; how effective careers support is at compulsory school age; changes in routes post-18; Welsh-medium provision; equity of access; post-16 destination data and Welsh Government’s role.
Cambrian Training has said that it welcomes and has contributed to the inquiry.
Faith O’Brien, Managing Director of Cambrian Training Company, said:
“A significant gap remains in the quality and joint marketing activities between schools, employers, and training providers to effectively promote apprenticeships. This gap is often attributed to a lack of awareness among careers officers in schools and a reluctance to present apprenticeships as a viable option for all pupils, regardless of academic attainment.”
She believes best practices for promoting apprenticeships involves directly engaging with employers to foster strategic and operational relationships while investing in the sector.
“Many employers in Wales have successfully embedded apprenticeships into their career pathways, making them a crucial component of their recruitment and retention strategies. As the leading provider of work- based apprenticeships in Hospitality and Food & Drink Manufacturing, Cambrian Training has built strong relationships at all levels within employers’ structures, enabling a deep understanding of their business needs and ensuring that apprenticeship programmes are optimised to align with their delivery models” she said.
Cambrian Training is also supporting careers initiatives aimed at school aged children and their parents to raise awareness, knowledge and interest in apprenticeships. The company attends apprenticeship and careers fairs across Wales. It sponsors the Culinary Association of Wales and the Welsh International Culinary Championships which features competitions and skills classes to give young people a chance to try their hand and learn more about the industry and job opportunities. Cambrian Training also collaborates with Menter a Busnes’ and Tasty Careers in Food & Drink’s schools programmes that promote careers in Welsh food and drink and hospitality.
“It is vital that young people, their parents and teachers have access to all the available information of the different education options. We also need parity of esteem between the academic and vocational routes o, our young people can take informed decisions that lead to successful life-long careers.”
