Organisations from across Devon gathered together to focus on improving job opportunities and access to education for young people.
The Brighter Futures steering group has held its inaugural meeting to explore how it can build on its work, and strengthen local support to make sure it’s available to more young people.
The County Council launched its Brighter Futures Strategy last year, with the aim of giving every young person in Devon the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the challenges they may face.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in employment, education or training (NEET) across the UK between April and June, prompting the Prime Minister to describe the situation as an “economic catastrophe and moral failure”.
Devon County Council Leader Julian Brazil says Prime Minister Andy Burnham is “singing from the same hymn sheet” as Devon on its commitment to help young people into education, training or work.
Councillor Brazil reiterated Devon’s commitment to young people, with the Council’s Brighter Futures Strategy setting out how it’s working with partners to improve opportunities for young people across the county.
Almost 4% of 16 to 18-year-olds in Devon were NEET in 2024, lower than the national average of 5.4%, but the Council is committed to reducing this further. And while Devon’s overall figures compare favourably to the national picture, some young people face much greater challenges.
In 2024, 13.4% of young people with special educational needs and disabilities or Education, Health and Care Plans were NEET, while almost half of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were not in education, employment or training.
For young people in Devon’s rural and coastal communities, transport and access to opportunities can also present significant barriers. Through Brighter Futures, the Council is working with partners to address these challenges.
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