'No dead ends': What the Dutch can teach us about tackling youth unemployment

With nearly one in ten young people in England currently classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), the Dutch model offers valuable lessons for UK local authorities seeking to improve outcomes. The Netherlands has built a coherent system where vocational and academic routes hold equal status, and transitions between education, training and employment are carefully managed to ensure no young person drops through the cracks. Central to the Dutch approach is the concept of 'no dead ends' — every pathway must lead somewhere, whether to further study, quality employment, or additional support. This requires close collaboration between schools, colleges, employers and municipal authorities to identify at-risk young people early and intervene with tailored support. For Wiltshire and other local authorities, this suggests a need to strengthen links between post-16 education providers and local employers, whilst ensuring alternative provision routes genuinely prepare young people for the labour market. The Dutch success also rests on robust tracking systems that follow young people until age 23, ensuring those who leave education without qualifications receive intensive support. As the UK grapples with rising youth unemployment and the challenges of skills shortages, adopting similar principles of clear pathways, early intervention and sustained support could help local areas reduce their NEET rates and ensure every young person can contribute to and benefit from the local economy.