Teenagers missing out on education across region, new figures show

Despite a government guarantee that those who finish their GCSEs would be helped with the next step in their lives, hundreds are still slipping through the net.

Further education leaders believe this is due to government funding running out for apprenticeships.

In Wolverhampton last year, 76 teenagers were not offered further education or training. The city had 5,460 school leavers in 2018, meaning 98.6 per cent were offered a place in education or training.

In Dudley 265 teenagers slipped through the net, just under four per cent of the total number of school leavers last year.

A total of 62 teenagers missed out in Sandwell, which offered places to 99.2 per cent of leavers, and 73 missed out in Walsall, which offered places to 98.9 per cent of leavers.

Staffordshire offered education or training places to 98.2 per cent of its 16,890 school leavers, meaning 304 teenagers missed out.

Association of Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Mark Dawe it was “scandalous” the Government cannot guarantee it will fund any more apprenticeships for school leavers.

He added: “The DfE’s most senior civil servant told a Commons committee on Monday that the big issue is that the apprenticeship levy is running out of cash and that hard choices have to be made.

“But the easiest choice is to safeguard apprenticeships for the youngest, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

A DfE spokeswoman said just because a teenager does not recieve an offer does not mean they are missing out on education or training, adding: "This year’s September Guarantee data showed that almost 95% of 16 and 17-year-olds in England received a suitable offer in 2018."