Local authorities knuckle down to raising the participation age

23 January 2012 5 mins read Lauren Higgs Education

As 2011 drew to a close, the number of young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) hit its highest level since comparable records began. There are now almost 450,000 so-called Neets aged between 16 and 18, not to mention a further 700,000 aged between 19 and 24.

This intractable problem is one that the government hopes will, in part, be addressed by plans to raise the participation age.

From summer 2013, young people will have to stay on in education or training for the whole of the academic year in which they turn 17. From 2015, this will increase to 18.

Councils will be charged with managing the local system and 35 local authorities have been taking part in Department for Education trials to get ready for the changes.

The trials have thrown up challenges that will affect many areas. For example, high-quality and impartial information, advice and guidance will be essential to increasing participation, but concerns remain about the demise of the Connexions service and the transfer of careers guidance responsibilities to schools.

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