A TITAN of industry is being brought in to get young Brits not in education, employment or training (Neets) into work.
Marc Bolland has been chosen by Government to head the task of helping the more than one million aged 16 to 24 in the category.
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A titan of industry is being brought in to get Neets into work Credit: Violeta Jovovic
Dutchman Marc Bolland has been chosen by Government to help more than one million young Brits not in work Credit: AFP/Getty Images
The Dutchman, 67, has run some of Britain’s biggest stores — including Marks & Spencer and Morrisons.
He has been chosen by Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden to help persuade businesses to hire Neets.
He will be in charge of boosting the Government’s Youth Guarantee, to help get one million young people into work or training.
Mr McFadden said: “Marc Bolland’s appointment sends a clear signal we’re serious about tackling the challenge.”
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Mr Bolland said: “I know that working hand-in-hand with business to support young people gives them the best possible chance of success.
“I believe the Government is serious about tackling this generational crisis of youth unemployment.”
Mr Bolland, who also worked at Heineken, set up a charity, Movement to Work, after the 2011 London riots to get young Brits into work after meeting some of those behind the violent scenes.
His appointment follows the publication of former senior Labour minister Alan Milburn’s interim report this week.
It found that the Neets crisis was costing the UK an estimated £125billion a year — but rejected the idea young people simply do not want to work.
It said many submit dozens or even hundreds of job applications but often hear nothing back.
He warned of a “lost generation” at risk of being consigned to the benefits scrapheap unless more is done to help.
