ABSTRACT
Young people face a daunting prospect in making the transition from school to work in the UK. Youth unemployment and NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) rates remain relatively high following the financial crisis in 2007–2008 when they rapidly increased to levels from which they are only slowly recovering. One way in which young people can insure themselves against the vagaries of the economic cycle is by investing in education and training. It is well-established that the chance of being unemployed and/or being dependent upon benefits is lower for the relatively highly qualified (Buscha and Urwin, 2013). But young people from disadvantaged backgrounds often face more formidable barriers in gaining access to further and higher education and, subsequently, to secure employment. Schools can be of critical importance here, especially so in providing the advice and guidance that will help students to align their activities in school with their aspirations in the labour market. Education-business partnerships can be of importance here. Over the years there have been, and continue to be, manifold programmes that have sought to bring schools and businesses together to help prepare young people for the world of work (Chaplain and Gray, 2000; Huddleston, 2012). These can be of vital importance in providing the support and guidance, via employers, that students need if they are to more efficiently and effectively make the transition from school into sustainable, rewarding employment.
