Audience guide
Young people not in work or education (NEET)
Many young people outside work and education have had difficult school years, mental health challenges, unstable housing or simply no network into work. They often need a first chance, clear structure and an adult who believes in them more than specific qualifications.
Adjustments are about what helps, not about labels. Never ask for a diagnosis, and let each person decide what they share.
What to do
- Offer a paid work trial or internship instead of a formal interview
- Explain workplace basics without assuming prior knowledge
- Give frequent, specific and encouraging feedback
- Work with youth services, schools and youth guarantee programmes
What to avoid
- Judging a thin or empty CV
- Treating one late arrival or missed day as a final warning in the first weeks
- Long, complicated application processes
Typical adjustments
- A mentor or buddy close in age
- Flexible start times during the first weeks
- Help with practical issues such as a bank account, work clothes or transport
- Short training modules with visible progress
Extra steps in your plan
Offer a paid trial instead of an interview
A few paid days of real work let a young person show what they can do, and let you both see if it fits, without the pressure of an interview.
Interview and select · Essential · About 1 hour
Teach the basics of working life
Explain how to call in sick, how payslips work, the rules on breaks and who to go to. Many young people have never been told.
Onboard · Essential · About 1 hour
Connect them with a mentor
Someone outside their line management to talk to about work and the future makes young people far more likely to stay and grow.
Retain and grow · Recommended · About 1 hour
Turn this into your own plan
Choose your type of business and who you are hiring, and get one checklist that tracks your progress, plus a tracker for each new hire's first six months.
This toolkit is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules on recruitment, adjustments and support schemes differ between countries, so check with your local employment service or an adviser.