Over half of young people priced out of jobs, education & training

More than half of young people in England have been priced out of jobs, education and training opportunities, new research from leading children’s charity Barnardo’s reveals.

A Censuswide survey of 1,000 16-25-year-olds in England found that 56% had turned down, not applied for or left a job, course, apprenticeship, work experience placement or other opportunity because they could not afford the associated costs (i.e. travel, clothing, equipment, course materials or childcare). Among this group, more than a quarter (28%) said this had happened to them more than once.

The finding forms part of Barnardo’s report No Young Person Left Behind: Unlocking Opportunities for Young People Facing the Greatest Barriers to Education and Employment, which examines why some young people become disconnected from work and learning and what helps those facing multiple, overlapping barriers to take up and sustain opportunities.

The report comes as nearly one million young people in the UK – around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds – are currently not in education, employment or training, with the Rt Hon Alan Milburn’s final review into tackling the so-called ‘NEET crisis’ due this autumn. Barnardo’s argues that young people facing poor mental health, disability or special educational needs, care experience, poverty, housing insecurity and other forms of disadvantage are at greater risk and need specialist support to break down barriers.

Barnardo’s argues that the financial assistance currently available to young people trying to take their first step on the career ladder is often fragmented, insufficient and narrowly targeted. The charity wants the existing 16-19 Bursary Fund strengthened, and proposes a Youth Opportunity Grant for young people aged 18 and over who are looking to move into work and cannot afford essential costs.

It is asking the Government to review and improve existing participation support schemes to ensure they reflect the real costs young people face when entering education, training, apprenticeships and employment. This would complement, rather than replace, existing support.

The charity’s new research also exposes gaps in the support young people receive before entering the workplace. Nearly half (48%) see a lack of work experience as a barrier to finding work, while 42% say their school or college did not prepare them well for choosing a career and entering the world of work.

Seven in ten (70%) of young people surveyed took part in activities such as work experience, employer talks, mentoring or workplace visits before leaving school or college. However, only 30% of those who participated said these opportunities were helpful. After leaving education, a quarter (25%) said they did not know where to get support and nobody contacted them.

Barnardo’s supported more than 2,000 16-24-year-olds in 2025/26 with specialist, personalised support to move into employment through initiatives including its 10-week JOBS programme, delivered with Amazon, IKEA and other businesses across nine UK locations. Between 2021 and 2026, this programme helped 649 young people progress into employment, further education, training or an apprenticeship.

Lynn Perry, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, said: “Young people want to work. They want the independence, security and opportunities that work can bring. But our research shows that for too many, the cost of accessing an opportunity is becoming a barrier to the opportunity itself.

“Things like bus fares and smart clothes might seem like minor expenses, but for a young person with little or no income, they can be the difference between taking up an opportunity and having to walk away from it.

“Behind these figures are young people with talent, ambition and potential. We need a system that removes practical barriers, rather than allowing them to shut young people out.

“That’s why we’re calling on the Government to strengthen the financial assistance that is currently available for young people to access education, employment and training so that a young person’s financial circumstances do not determine whether they can take their first steps into work.”

Barnardo’s is calling on the Government to:

Ensure Young People Can Afford to Take Up Opportunities: Strengthen the 16-19 Bursary Fund and introduce a Youth Opportunity Fund to improve the support available to help young people meet the costs they face moving into education, training, apprenticeships and employment. Better targeted participation support would help cover the costs that many young people face regardless of whether they receive Universal Credit, ensuring financial barriers do not stand in the way of opportunity.
Ensure Every Child Can Access High-Quality Careers Support: Strengthen careers guidance, employer engagement and work experience in schools, with targeted support for children facing the greatest barriers, so every child can build the skills, confidence and networks needed to succeed.
No Child Should Fall Through the Cracks at 16: Strengthen the post-16 participation framework and provide dedicated funding for transition and re-engagement support, so young people at risk of falling through the cracks are identified early and helped to stay connected to education, training and opportunities.
Invest in Employment Support That Works: Ensure young people facing barriers to work can access tailored, employment-focused support based on need rather than benefit status, helping them move into sustainable employment and stay there.

You can read the full Barnado’s report here.