ACCA responds to Office of National Statistics figures on NEETs

Sarah Hathaway, head of ACCA UK, said:

“While a decrease in the number of young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) is good news, it’s not something to celebrate when there are still more than one million NEETS in the UK. From an employment viewpoint, it is likely that because the economy is still in recovery mode many young people are finding it hard to gain employment. However, these statistics include those not in education and training as well. It suggests there remains a career guidance gap in our schools and young people are not being furnished with information and advice about the range of education and vocational training options available to them.

“University is often perceived by schools, parents and young people as the only option when seeking a career. ACCA commissioned research shows that just 22 per cent of parents said their child had received information about alternatives to university from their school or careers advice service. Without both parents and schools considering the alternatives, many young people may miss out on career opportunities through apprenticeships or vocational qualifications for school-leavers. The ACCA qualification provides routes to qualifying as a chartered certified accountant from alternative starting points, from post-GCSE to after a Masters qualification, with awards offered at every stage. The finance profession needs expertise at all levels. Whether schools and careers advisers are making young people aware of those options is another matter.”