Young and unemployed? Join the military, defence minister says
The UK's veterans minister has suggested that unemployed young people consider joining the military as an alternative to university. This recommendation comes as the number of young people not in education or employment has reached a 12-year high. The minister emphasized the broad career opportunities available in the armed forces and highlighted the value of trade apprenticeships.
- ▪The number of young people aged 16-24 classified as NEET has reached 1.01 million, the highest since the late 2010s.
- ▪Veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones encouraged young people to seriously consider careers in the armed forces.
- ▪She stated that trade apprenticeships, such as those offered by Rolls Royce, can be more valuable than a place at prestigious universities.
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NewsUKHome NewsYoung and unemployed? Join the military, defence minister saysThe veterans minister also said that some trade apprenticeships were more valuable than ‘a place at Oxbridge’Albert Toth Friday 29 May 2026 14:15 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2985846","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/armed-forces-careers-navy-labour-neets-unemployment-b2985846.html","title":"Young and unemployed? Join the military, defence minister says"}}Neets report on young people's prospects 'traumatic,' Nick Robinson saysYour…
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