Young People Outside Education and Work: How Practical Training Can Help
ben squiresUpdated 23 September 2026 · Liverpool School of Plastering
Young people who are not in education, employment or training need useful routes forward that reflect their circumstances. A practical course may be one part of that support; it is not a complete answer for every learner.
Put the statistic in context
The ONS release published on 27 August 2026 estimated that 981,000 people aged 16–24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training in April–June 2026: 13.0% of that age group. The estimate was lower than the previous quarter and higher than a year earlier. ONS advises caution with short-term changes in these survey estimates. Read the release and quality notes.
The previous version of this article used an earlier “more than one million” headline. Figures should always be read with their reference period, rather than presented as a permanent current count.
Start with the person’s goal
- Do they want to try a practical trade, return to learning or explore an employment route?
- What support would help them attend and participate?
- Who will help plan the next step after the course?
- Which funder or referral organisation needs to agree the booking?
Give a course a clear purpose
A useful first outcome may be attending consistently, trying the tools, following a preparation sequence or deciding whether the work suits them. These are meaningful steps without promising that a few days of training automatically produces employment or a qualification.
Plan support and progression together
Referrers should discuss the learner’s needs with the school and confirm course suitability, age requirements, dates and funding before booking. Use the funding and support page to investigate options and contact us about the individual enquiry. Approval depends on the relevant scheme and circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
Sources checked 23 September 2026. Use the current instructions for your exact products and background.