City & Guilds responds to Alan Milburn’s interim review on NEETs: “A whole system failure demands a whole system response"

City & Guilds has today responded to the publication of the interim Milburn Review into the UK’s rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)

28 May 2026

The review warns that the UK risks a “lost generation,” with NEET levels potentially rising from around one in eight young people today to one in six, approximately 1.25 million, by 2031 if urgent action is not taken.

The review highlights that this is not a failure of young people, but a “whole system failure” spanning education, welfare, health and the labour market. It points to a sharp rise in mental health‑related inactivity, a collapse in entry level opportunities, and a lack of structured pathways into work, training, and progression.

Responding to the findings, City & Guilds emphasised the need for coordinated, long‑term reform and reaffirmed its commitment to helping rebuild the “first rung” of the ladder for young people and adults needing to retrain. This includes strengthening the transition into work, where City & Guilds data shows that 65% of its learners progress into employment within six months, compared with 56% of learners studying with other providers.

Emma Leary, Responsible Officer at City & Guilds, said:

“The Milburn review is a stark warning that the UK is on course for a deepening NEET crisis, but it is also a reminder that this is a system failure, not a talent failure. Young people are not lacking potential; they are lacking opportunity, support and clear, credible routes into work.  This is ultimately about social mobility, skills and employability are the key ingredients in giving people a fair chance, and must sit at the heart of long‑term reform.”

She added:

“We urgently need to rebuild the first rung of the ladder. That means high‑quality technical education, employer‑led training, improved transitions from college through to employment and a skills system that develops the durable skills people need to thrive, from communication and problem‑solving to adaptability in an AI‑driven economy. Once young people enter the workplace, we must ensure they are supported to remain in work and progress, which means investing in the capability of managers to coach, mentor and develop early-career staff.”

City & Guilds is launching its Employability Skills Framework this year, designed as a simple, three‑stage model that helps learners build the core skills they need to move from being ‘Work Aware’ to ‘Work Ready’ and ultimately ‘Work Effective’. It was developed with colleges, training providers, employers and young people to ensure it is practical, accessible and grounded in real learner needs.

Later this year, City & Guilds will also publish a major Employability Skills Report, offering further analysis of the barriers facing young people and adults, and setting out practical recommendations for how the training and skills sector can help reverse the NEET trajectory. The report will also explore how the UK can support people to re‑skill and upskill in response to rapid technological change, including the impact of AI on entry‑level roles and progression pathways.

City & Guilds’ long standing role in supporting progression is also reflected in apprenticeship outcomes, with 80% of their trained apprentices working in a job directly related to their qualification, within three months of completion.

Emma Leary continued:

“We stand ready to work with government, employers and the wider skills system to ensure every young person, and every adult needing to retrain, has a fair chance to build a future.”