When Sir Gareth Southgate says too many young people are being failed by the system, it cuts through. Speaking to the BBC ahead of his new documentary, he argued that we need to think differently about how we educate and support young people, particularly boys and young men who are struggling with school, work and identity. He also pointed to the declining status of apprenticeships and the lack of work-readiness opportunities available to young people today.
He certainly raises an interesting debate.
The latest ONS figures show that 1,012,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are now not in education, employment or training, equivalent to 13.5% of that age group. That is more than one in eight young people. Among young men, the figure is even higher at 14.4%, compared with 12.5% for young women.
These numbers should not be viewed simply as a jobs problem. They are also a warning sign that the journey from education into employment is not working well enough for too many young people. For years, the system has been built around a narrow idea of success, with academic attainment treated as the main route forward. But the world of work does not operate like that. Employers need practical skills, technical competence, adaptability, communication and confidence, not just exam results.
That is why Southgate’s comments matter. Young people do not all learn the same way, engage in the same way or thrive in the same environment. If education continues to offer a largely one-size-fits-all model, some will inevitably be left behind.
For the IMI, the case for technical and vocational routes has never been stronger. In automotive, apprenticeships are not a fallback. They are one of the most effective ways to build skills, confidence and direct pathways into long-term careers. Yet too many young people are not exposed to these options early enough, and too often they are still seen as second best. Southgate’s warning that apprenticeships have “become a dirty word” should give all of us pause for thought.
If we want to tackle disengagement, we need to stop waiting until young people have already checked out. We need earlier exposure to technical careers, stronger employer links, better careers guidance and a system that values different strengths equally. The issue is not a lack of talent. It is whether we are giving young people enough routes to use it. On that, Gareth Southgate is absolutely right.
