'No dead ends': What the Dutch can teach us about tackling youth unemployment

A landmark report last month found Britain is grappling with a youth engagement crisis - with nearly one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet).

Alan Milburn, the former health secretary who authored the report, warned one in six young people could become Neet within five years unless urgent action is taken.

He identified that the Dutch approach was one the UK could learn from. The Netherlands has one of the lowest Neet rates in the world, at 4.9% among 18 to 24-year-olds. The equivalent figure in the UK is 15.1%.

So can the UK learn from a Dutch system that is designed around a simple principle?

"No dead ends" is the philosophy which underpins Dutch education and youth employment policy - every stage of a young person's journey is designed to lead somewhere.

Under Dutch law, it is compulsory for children between five and 16 to attend school - then they must stay in education or training until they either secure a qualification or turn 18.

One of the Netherlands' key tools for cutting school dropout rates is through the kwalificatieplicht (qualification requirement).

The system is controversial, with critics warning that early streaming can disadvantage some children and be detrimental to a young person's self-esteem.

Across the UK, young people can leave school at 16, but after that the rules vary. In England, they must stay in education or training until 18, through full-time study, an apprenticeship or part-time learning alongside work.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is no equivalent legal requirement, although schools and public agencies still encourage young people to stay in education or training.

At 10 years old, Amelie was told to choose the vocational VMBO track at high school.

She says this took a toll on her confidence - in the Dutch school system the VMBO track is not the most academic route.