A new report from the Resolution Foundation has examined the Netherlands’ approach to youth employment, concluding that the Dutch model offers a template for Britain to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The Dutch system, which combines strong educational pathways with employer engagement, has resulted in one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe.
The report, published on Tuesday, highlights that the proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds who are NEET in the Netherlands stands at 5.4 per cent, compared with 11.2 per cent in the United Kingdom. The authors attribute the gap to the Netherlands’ “no dead ends” philosophy, which ensures that young people who leave education early have clear routes back into training or work.
Central to the Dutch system is the “practical learning pathway” (praktijkleren), a form of apprenticeship that combines work and study for up to 80 per cent of the curriculum. This pathway is embedded in secondary education and is open to students who prefer hands-on learning. The report argues that Britain’s current vocational system, while improved, remains fragmented and lacks the prestige of academic routes.
Another key factor is the Dutch “school abandonment” prevention programme. Local authorities are required to track every young person up to the age of 23. If a pupil drops out, a dedicated caseworker intervenes within three months to offer alternative education, employment or traineeships. The British system, by contrast, loses track of many NEET individuals after the age of 18.
Employer involvement is also more structured in the Netherlands. Sectoral training funds, financed by employer contributions, ensure that companies invest in apprenticeships. The report notes that UK employers spend far less on training relative to GDP than their Dutch counterparts.
However, the report warns against a direct transplant of the Dutch model. The Netherlands has a more centralised labour market and a tradition of social partnership, which Britain lacks. Its education system is also less stratified by social class. The authors recommend instead that UK policymakers adopt the “no dead ends” principle as a guiding framework, rather than specific policies.
Louise Murphy, an economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The Netherlands shows that a low NEET rate is achievable. But Britain will need to strengthen its vocational offer and ensure that no young person falls through the cracks. The prize is not just lower unemployment but higher productivity and social cohesion.”
The report comes as the UK government faces mounting pressure to address rising NEET numbers. Official data published last month showed that 864,000 young people were NEET in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 20,000 on the same period last year.
The government has said it plans to introduce a “youth guarantee” that would offer every 18- to 21-year-old an apprenticeship, training or job. The Resolution Foundation’s analysis suggests that such a guarantee will require significant investment in tracking systems and employer engagement to avoid becoming a hollow promise.
Michael Savage, director of the Education Policy Institute, said: “The lesson from the Netherlands is that early intervention works. We cannot afford to wait until young people are already disconnected. The system must be designed to prevent the disconnection from happening in the first place.”
The full report, “No Dead Ends: Lessons from the Netherlands for UK Youth Employment”, is available on the Resolution Foundation’s website.
