Supporting NEET and at-risk learners into education, employment and brighter futures

Flexible programmes, employability resources and recognised pathways that help learners build confidence, develop work-ready skills and take their next step.

With around 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK not in education, employment or training (NEET), providing the right support at the right time is more important than ever.

But getting ready for the world of work isn't only about having the right qualifications. Insight from our Employability Report showed that, only 44% of young people feel confident they have the employability skills needed to succeed in work. For some, moving into education, employment or further training isn't straightforward. They may feel disengaged, face barriers to progression or need greater confidence before taking their next step.

Whether you're helping a learner re-engage with education, develop the skills and behaviours needed for work, or plan a programme around their future goals, our range of resources can help you provide the support, structure and recognition they need to move forward.

Recognise progress with Futures

From attendance and engagement to resilience, communication and dependability, Futures is a flexible digital credentialling framework that helps recognise the behaviours, attitudes and milestones that can build confidence and support continued progression.

Explore Futures

The Employability Framework

Designed to support diverse learner needs and informed by employer insight, the Employability Framework gives providers a clear and flexible approach to helping learners build the transferable skills, behaviours and confidence they need to navigate the world of work.

Explore the Employability Framework

Work Aware

Work Aware is the first phase of the Employability Framework, designed to help disengaged learners build self-belief and the foundational skills they need for life, learning and future employment, including communicating face-to-face, growth mindset, communicating digitally and using AI, and collaboration.

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Employability skills qualifications

Our Employability Skills (5546) qualifications are designed to support learners who are preparing for work, including unemployed people and jobseekers, by helping them develop the building blocks they need to enter work and build the skills and confidence to sustain it.

Explore Employability Skills

Counting the cost: The UK's employability skills crisis

The new City & Guilds report explores the growing employability skills challenge facing UK employers and young people. The report finds:

74% believe employability skills are more important than technical skills for workplace success

64% say it is becoming harder to find candidates with these capabilities

Employers consistently value skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and resilience alongside qualifications and experience.

The findings reinforce the importance of investing in skills development alongside technical training.

Read the report

Plan purposeful pathways with our curriculum planning guides

Bring qualifications, employability skills and progression routes together in one clear pathway.

Our curriculum planning guides bring together sector-specific qualifications, units and short courses, with employability skills mapped into clear and structured pathways.

Each guide is designed to help you plan and deliver effective, career-focused programmes that reflect your learners' needs and support their progression.

Explore curriculum planning guides