AELP welcomes Milburn review and calls for national debate on youth opportunities

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has welcomed the publication of the interim findings from Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work report, and argued that there now needs to be a national debate on how we can create substantially more opportunities for young people and stronger workforce pipelines for employers.

AELP said the review rightly highlights growing structural concerns affecting young people’s routes into employment, including the decline of entry-level opportunities, labour market uncertainty and increasing barriers to progression.

AELP also agrees with Milburn that “no amount of reform to individual policy areas or institutions alone will fix this. The architecture itself is the problem”. As a result, AELP is also pleased to note that Milburn highlights the incentive structure for 16-19 education. The government is currently spending £7bn a year on 16-19 study programmes - that's more than double what is spent on apprenticeships, which covers both adults and young people. Whilst much of this provision is impactful, some of it isn’t. As a result, we strongly agree that there is not enough emphasis on outcomes – today's report highlights that nearly 30% of NEETs are now getting good GCSEs or equivalent, and over 21% have a Level 3 qualification, but lack preparedness for work means they are being left behind. Sometimes it's not always about extra investment but improving the effectiveness of what we've already got to work with. Furthermore, an ambition for a demand-led system is something we also strongly commend and will continue to call for.

AELP has also cautioned against approaches which frame young people primarily through the lens of “NEETs”, arguing that the cohort is highly diverse and requires far more nuanced policy responses. The association said policymakers must avoid treating all young people outside education or employment as though they face the same challenges, noting that some require significant long-term support, while many others are relatively close to the labour market but unable to secure opportunities in an increasingly competitive economy.

The interim findings of the Milburn report have been published on the same day the ONS have released their latest labour market figures showing that there are now 1,012,000 young people who were NEET in January to March 2026 (an increase of 89,000 on the year and 55,000 on the quarter).

AELP argues that solving this crisis will require a national conversation focused both on how we engage employers positively around youth recruitment and workforce development, rather than presenting the issue solely as a social obligation, and on how we equip young people to enter the workforce successfully and continue developing once they are in it.

In response to the interim findings of the Milburn Report, AELP will be hosting a summit this autumn bringing together the skills sector to explore how employers, providers, charities and government can work together to create the architecture young people need to fulfil their potential.

The issue of youth opportunities will also form the focus of the next AELP Mini Commission. Mini Commissions are AELP’s way of working closely with members and Regional Provider Networks to develop a collective voice on some of the biggest issues facing the skills sector – AELP will also be keen to involve Mayoral Combined Authorities, employer groups, youth services and charities in the commission.

Simon Ashworth, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at AELP, said:

“With the number of young people not in employment, education or training now exceeding one million, the Milburn Review is right to focus attention on the growing barriers many young people face in accessing work and progression opportunities. This is a landmark report published at a landmark moment.
“We now need a serious national conversation about how employers, providers and government create far more opportunities for young people and stronger workforce pipelines for the future.
“Many young people are capable, motivated and close to employment if the right opportunities exist. Apprenticeships are a key part of the solution, but they must sit alongside wider reforms around employer engagement, flexible provision and progression pathways into work.
“Over the coming months, AELP will work closely with members, employers, charities and policymakers to develop practical solutions through our Autumn Summit and forthcoming Mini Commission focused on improving opportunities for young people.”

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) is a national membership body, proudly representing organisations operating in the skills sector. AELP members deliver a range of training and vocational learning – including the majority of apprenticeships as well as Skills Bootcamps, 16-19 Study Programme, Adult Education Budget and more.

For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected]