Edge Hill University and Career Connect Launch AI Platform to Tackle NEET Crisis
Edge Hill University and Liverpool-based charity Career Connect are advancing their AI-driven mission to support young people at risk of falling out of education or employment. Their landmark Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), funded by Innovate UK, leverages advanced data science to create a first-of-its-kind platform designed to identify individuals at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) before they reach a crisis point. This initiative aims to transform how local authorities, schools, charities, and other agencies deliver life-changing interventions.
Addressing a Growing National Issue
With the number of young people aged 16-24 in the UK classified as NEET currently at 957,000, and Career Connect observing more young people facing increasingly complex barriers, targeted early intervention is more critical than ever. Sheila Clark, CEO of Career Connect, emphasized the project's potential. "This project has the potential to equip young people’s services, schools, and local authorities with real-time insights to improve decisions, target support, and free up more time for face-to-face support, helping more young people to thrive," she said.
Clark highlighted the acute nature of the NEET crisis, noting that research shows if a young person is not in employment, education, or training at age 16, they are more likely to face long-term unemployment, low wages, mental health challenges, and poverty. "Rising NEET numbers is not just a ‘young people’ issue—it impacts all of us. That’s why earlier and improved identification and intervention, which we hope to develop through this KTP, is so important," she added.
Technical Development and Personal Mission
Leading the technical development is Edge Hill alumnus and KTP Associate Simon Hackett-Evans, who graduated with a first-class BSc (Hons) in Computing before completing an MSc in Data Science. For Simon, the project is more than a technical challenge; it is a personal mission to use his skills for the greater good. Reflecting on his role, Simon said, "I viewed the job advert, and everything about it just screamed ‘me and my passions.’ The current amount of people who are NEET in the UK is nearly reaching one million. In life, I adore helping people and society because I believe it is the right thing to do."
The project shifts focus from recording present data to forecasting the future. Having completed initial feasibility stages, it is now moving into advanced data analysis and the construction of deep learning models. Simon manages the complexity with a disciplined academic approach, communicating daily with team leaders and stakeholders. "Right now, I have managed to do a few initial data-driven experiments, and it shows promising results. This basically confirms that the project is 100 per cent achievable; it’s just going to take time," he explained.
Project Timeline and Broader Impact
Planned to span three years with completion scheduled for 2028, the KTP framework serves a dual purpose: embedding high-level expertise within a charity while accelerating the career of a talented graduate. For Simon, the experience has been transformative, boosting his confidence and independence. "This is my first long-term job in my life, and before this, I have lived with family. Now that I have this job, I have been supporting myself, so I am paying my own bills, looking after my flat, sorting stuff out on my own," he shared.
Once fully implemented, the platform will provide Career Connect with smarter, data-driven insights to support young people across the country, with potential applications in any geography or cohort. Professor Yannis Korkontzelos, who has spearheaded KTPs at Edge Hill for over six years, emphasized the importance of this work. "By working with Career Connect, we aim to build a technology platform that improves how they identify and respond to the risk of young people becoming NEET. It’s a chance to use data science to make a real difference," he said.
Future Prospects and Social Mobility
Looking ahead, Simon is hopeful that his work will set a new standard for social mobility. "By the end of this project I will have helped our economy because the tool will be able to identify people that are at the most risk of becoming NEET, and it will also help support people’s mental health. Having a chance to use my skills to benefit others is not only a gift, but a privilege in life I will not forget," he stated.
He added, "I think that this KTP has affected my life significantly, in a good way. I wake up every morning with delight that I am going to make a difference to people’s lives. My research is going well, and I know my skills are growing securely to prepare myself for a promising and successful career." This innovative project represents a significant step forward in using technology to address social challenges and support vulnerable youth.
