Number of Black Country youngsters not in employment, education or training falls

The latest figures show 5.4 per cent of 16 to 18 year olds across the region were not studying or working in May this year, compared to 7.5 per cent at the same point in 2013.

In a report compiled by the Government's Client Caseload Information System, the Black Country is shown to be bucking the national trend for the age group.

The figure for the UK is now 5.4 per cent – around 800,000 – which represents a slight increase on last year. Across the four Black Country authorities a total of 2,210 people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training known as NEET as of May this year.

Council chiefs in the region said they were pleased the figures had dropped and said it was the result of hard work.

This year's figure in Sandwell was 602, a drop of 2.2 per cent on 2013.

The news represent a boost for an age group that was one of the hardest hit by the rise in unemployment during the financial crisis.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said the fall was down to improved advice and guidance for young people and an increase in the range and quality of post-16 training courses on offer.

The authority has recently launched the Sandwell Guarantee in a bid to create thousands of jobs and apprenticeships.

The scheme pairs young people with businesses seeking to fill new posts, with the authority pledging to split the cost of wages 50/50 for up to a year.

In Dudley there was a 1.5 per cent fall.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, Dudley Council's education boss, said: "We are committed to giving our children and young people the very best start in life, and this reduction in the NEET figure is the result of a lot of hard work.

"Early intervention is key, and our Connexions service match young people with training or employment opportunities as early as we can. We also work closely with the voluntary sector."

Walsall's numbers fell by 2.2per cent. Walsall's lead on education, Councillor Barbara Cassidy, said she was 'delighted' with the figures. "Walsall College has had a big impact and has really helped the authority with the reduction," she added.

While in Wolverhampton461 people were classed as NEET, a drop of 2.3 per cent on last year.

Wolverhampton Council's education chief Councillor Phil Page, praised the work of schools and Connexions advisors, adding: "The council itself has increased opportunities for young people by employing nearly 100 people as apprentices over the last four years, taking on its latest cohort last week. We've also actively encouraged other employers in the city to see the benefits of appointing apprentices, both for their organisation and the young people themselves."

The Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council recently launched the Talent Match programme, a £10 million Black Country wide project which offers opportunities to young people who are long-term unemployed.