Unemployed Young People Aren’t a “Stubborn Underclass”, They Just Need a Break

At a time of record levels of youth unemployment, Vinspired has been collaborating with experts at the think-tank Demos to explore solutions for the increasing number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).

The report, Experience Required, argues that successive governments have mischaracterized NEETs as a “stubborn underclass” when, in reality, they are regular young people who need opportunities to showcase their potential.

As part of this initiative, our team traveled across the country to meet young people who have transitioned from being NEET through long-term volunteering. For instance, Nazma, a young Muslim woman, excelled in a construction placement—a field dominated by men, while Alex returned to her former school, where she once struggled, to volunteer as a learning support assistant.

These stories illustrate the transformative power of volunteering, particularly in the areas of employment and skills, homelessness and poverty, and education. Vinspired and Demos are advocating for a national full-time volunteering program to equip young people with the experience necessary to thrive in the job market.

Explore more by watching our insightful video and let us know your thoughts—especially if you are, or have been, a NEET. Discover how volunteering can bridge the skills gap and provide a valuable stepping stone for young people to enter the workforce.

For further insights, read about how unemployed young people aren’t a “stubborn underclass”, they just need a break, the need for varied routes to employment, and the significance of volunteering through the lens of youth unemployment.