Doncaster Council looking at options to improve education amid high NEET rates, Mayor says

The City of Doncaster Council is looking at ‘several options’ to improve education for local young people, the Mayor has said, as the city’s NEET rate is revealed to be among the highest in the country.

Research published by the thinktank Centre For Cities revealed Doncaster was amongst areas with the highest proportion of local young people not in employment, education or training (NEET).

Around 5,000 young people in Doncaster are NEET, which equates to about 17 per cent of 18-24 year olds locally, according to the study.

The Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “We’re looking all the time in order to deliver the right education for them. Several options have been looked at to ensure our young people are educated here and given the support they need.”

Councillor Sue Farmer, cabinet member for children, young people and families in Mayor Jones’ cabinet, described Doncaster’s NEET crisis and a ‘national issue’ which is ‘reflected locally’.

The Labour councillor said: “Many of our young people face barriers that could impact their journeys into education, employment and training, including those relating to health, confidence or personal circumstances.

“Through the South Yorkshire Trailblazer, we have a significant programme of work underway with our partners and local communities to offer employability and skills programmes designed to support these young people to navigate those barriers, build confidence and skills, and explore their options.

“We would encourage any young person in this position, or anyone supporting a young person to contact our Advance Employment Hub team to find out more about the support and opportunities available.”

Coun Howard Rimmer, leader of Reform UK Doncaster, said the figures were ‘shocking and should be a wake-up call for Doncaster’.

He described the high local NEET rate as a ‘sad indictment’ of ‘decades of Labour administration’ in Doncaster.