Those furthest from the labour market: An inquiry into best practice that helps young people furthest from the labour market into employment

By the All-party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and Youth Employment UK

This report, by the All-Party Parliamentary Group, sought to understand how many young people would be included in this group; what are the main barriers; evidence and examples of working with young people ‘hidden’ from the official statistics; and what support is most effective in helping young people into education, employment or training. Evidence suggests that young people who are furthest from the labour market often have one or more significant barrier to employment. These include but are not limited to: disability, mental health issues, low education attainment, homelessness, care leavers, carers, a criminal record and low aspirations. Without first overcoming these barriers young people cannot be expected to make good and sustained progress into employment, education or training.

Personalised support for young people who are hidden or furthest away from the labour market can mean they are more likely to make progress. This support may include a key worker, non-formal training, supported work experience. Those young people furthest from the labour market who enter on to an employment or employability scheme without first tackling these barriers means that they do not pass the necessary milestones and often they fail or fall of the course.

Read the findings.