Logistics operator Baxter Freight has created 28 graduate roles with structured training and mentoring as part of its response to the UK’s growing NEET challenge. The firm says 37% of recent hires are under 24, with five graduate recruits already progressing to leadership positions.
The latest figures showing more than one million young people are not in employment, education or training should concern everyone. Behind these statistics are talented young people eager to work but finding themselves caught in a frustrating cycle of needing experience to secure a job, while struggling to find employers willing to provide that first opportunity.
At the same time, it’s important to recognise the challenges facing employers, and that many businesses continue to operate in a difficult economic environment, with pressure on costs, productivity and growth. Recruiting inexperienced candidates requires time, training and investment, and for some organisations, that can feel like too much of a financial risk.
If we want to address the UK’s growing NEET challenge and tackle long-term skills shortages, businesses need to look beyond immediate experience and focus on longer-term potential. Employers have a vital role to play in creating structured entry routes into professional careers and helping young people develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed.
At Baxter Freight, we’ve seen first-hand the value that young talent brings, and while the logistics industry is often overlooked as a career destination, it offers exciting opportunities in sales, customer relationship management, supply chain solutions and international trade. Young people bring fresh perspectives, adaptability, curiosity and a willingness to learn - qualities that are incredibly valuable in the fast-moving sector we operate within.
We have recently launched 28 new Graduate Account Manager positions as part of our continued growth plans. These roles are specifically designed to help graduates take their first steps into the professional workplace, providing structured training, mentoring, hands-on experience and clear progression opportunities from day one.
Our commitment to developing young talent isn’t just about recruitment; it’s about building long-term careers. In the last six months, 37% of our new hires have been aged under 24, and five employees who joined Baxter Freight as Graduate Account Managers have already progressed into leadership positions this year alone. Their success demonstrates what can happen when employers invest in people and create environments where they can develop and thrive.
The conversation around NEETs often focuses on the economic cost to the country, but there is also a significant opportunity, and by creating more accessible entry-level roles, removing unnecessary barriers to employment and supporting young people as they enter the workforce, businesses can access a valuable talent pipeline while helping individuals build meaningful careers.
Young people don’t just need jobs, they need opportunities to gain experience, develop professionally and see a future for themselves. As employers, we have a responsibility to help create those opportunities, and in doing so we strengthen both our businesses and the wider economy.”
Lorraine Sutcliffe, HR director, Baxter Freight
