Mark Stone, Sky News, 27th August 2009

The success that thousands of GCSE pupils are enjoying is hiding a growing problem.

One in six 16-18 year olds are currently out of work or further education

"There is a forgotten army of young people who are 16 to 18 years of age," said Ronnie Round, Leader of Knowsley Council in Merseyside.

"Not every young person wants to go to further education, they don't want to go to university.

"They want to leave school at 16 and they'd like the opportunity to go into full time employment."

It is estimated that one in six 16-18 year olds is currently out of work.

They are known as Neet: not in education, employment or training.

So many people's aspirations are: 'Well, my family are unemployed, it's the recession, there's no jobs out there, I've done badly at school, I have been kicked out so I am just going to hang around and then sign on at 18.

Eddie Stride, Chief Executive of City Gateway

According to the latest figures from the Department for Schools, Children and Families, there are currently 233,000 Neets across the country.

That is 13,000 more than there were in January and 24,000 more than this time last year.

Mr Round has overseen a successful project in Merseyside in which an increasing number of 16 year olds, with few or no GCSEs, gain apprenticeships after leaving school.

He'd like to see the success of Merseyside replicated around the country.

"Apprenticeships give young people some self respect and a better attitude to life.

"For some years now I have raised this very issue with cabinet ministers and secretaries of state but unfortunately it is not getting through."

Ryan Powell is one of the success stories. He could easily have become part of the Neet statistics.

But through luck, perseverance and with the help of Ronnie Round and his team he is now an apprentice groundsman at Everton Football Club.

"It's fantastic. It is a way of learning." he said. "My parents have always been supportive.

Ed Balls

Education Secretary Ed Balls

"Some mothers want their sons to be doctors. But I really enjoy what I do and they are really proud of me."

The borough of Tower Hamlets in East London once had a terrible record for Neets.

The recession only compounded the problem, but the success of charities like City Gateway has helped an increasing number of teenagers.

Its Chief Executive, Eddie Stride, told Sky News Online that if he ran the country, projects like his would be nationwide.

"So many people's aspirations are: 'Well, my family are unemployed, it's the recession, there's no jobs out there, I've done badly at school, I have been kicked out so I am just going to hang around and then sign on at 18'.

"We are trying to change that mindset and tell them that there is so much more that they can do - we are helping them to achieve."

In the recent recession conscious Budget, chancellor Alistair Darling announced some improvements to help deal with the so called 'forgotten army'.

By the end of next month every 16 and 17 year old who wants a place on a course or an apprenticeship will be guaranteed one by the Government.

It may go some way to help those who are not celebrating record results or looking forward to higher education.

See the video of this article:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/GCSE-Students-Finding-Employment-School-Leavers-Struggling-To-Get-Work/Video/200908415369338?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content_Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15369338_GCSE_Students_Finding_Employment%3A_School_Leavers_Struggling_To_Get_Work

See the original article:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/GCSE-Results-Expected-To-Exceed-Previous-Records/Article/200908415369257?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_4&lid=ARTICLE_15369257_GCSE_Results_Expected_To_Exceed_Previous_Records