Small Fall In Scottish NEETS

31 August 2016, 12:28 | Updated: 31 August 2016, 14:13

The proportion of young people in education, training or employment has increased slightly on last year, according to new figures.

The annual snapshot of what 16 to 19-year-olds are doing shows a participation rate of 88.6%, up one percentage point on 2015.

The statistics reveal a drop in the percentage of young people in education, from 67.1% to 65.9%, offset by a rise in employment, up two percentage points to 20.2%.

The percentage of those not participating fell from 6.5% to 5.7% while the status of 5.6% of the age group was unconfirmed.

The snapshot is published by Skills Development Scotland using data from sources including schools, colleges, the Scottish Funding Council, the Student Awards Agency Scotland and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Employability and training minister Jamie Hepburn said: "It is heartening to see that so many of our young people are taking advantage of the learning and training opportunities available to help them into work and begin their career.

"We want to ensure that our young people have the best possible opportunities in education, employment or training, and the best possible start to their careers.

"Scotland is outperforming the UK on youth employment, unemployment and inactivity rates, but we want to do even more.''

Mr Hepburn said the Government is committed to reducing youth unemployment from its 2014 level by 40% by 2021.