At least 8,640 Scots aged 16-19 are classed as not in employment, education or training (NEETs), according to official figures, with the SNP Government warned Scotland risks creating a "lost generation" unless more is done to help young people find opportunities.
Data from Skills Development Scotland, published today, shows 93.6 per cent of young people were classed as "participating" as of March 31 this year, a slight increase from 93.3 per cent last year. The activities of a further 6,000 youngsters are unknown.
Participation falls sharply with age
The report shows participation drops sharply with age, falling from 99 per cent among 16-year-olds to just 88 per cent among 19-year-olds, an 11 point gap. The problem is at its worst in Dundee, with 6.7 per cent of young people lost to the labour market and education.
Young people from Scotland's most deprived communities are significantly less likely to be participating in education, employment, or training. Participation stood at 89 per cent among those living in the 20 per cent most deprived areas, compared with 97.5 per cent among the least deprived areas.
Political reaction to the figures
Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour economy spokesman, said: "These figures should be a wake-up call for the Scottish Government. While it is encouraging that participation among 16-year-olds is so high, the fact that this falls to just 88 per cent by the age of 19 shows that too many young people are being left behind."
Craig Hoy, Scottish Conservative social security spokesman, said: "These deeply alarming figures show that the SNP are still barely shifting the dial when it comes to getting young people into work, employment, or further education."
Expert analysis and government response
Ewan Gibbs, a labour market expert at the University of Glasgow, blamed a lack of employment opportunities for younger Scots for the stubborn numbers of NEETs. He told the Record: "More convincing explanations for unemployment instead lie in the absence of employment opportunities, particularly entry ones for new workers."
A major UK Government report on NEETs is due out later this month. Alan Milburn, the former Labour minister who has overseen the publication, has warned the country faces a "lost generation" unless decisive action is taken to encourage more young people into work. The average number of NEETs is lower in Scotland on average than the UK as a whole, although Skills Development Scotland does not track those aged 20-24.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We're working with partners including Skills Development Scotland, colleges, universities to ensure all young people can access the career support they need. This includes this year's Programme for Government commitment to improve pathways from education into training and employment."
