YOUTH unemployment in Oxfordshire has fallen by 142 per cent in the last four years, latest figures show.

Rising numbers of apprenticeships and ongoing efforts to train youngsters after they leave school are having a significant effect on making the county one of the best in the UK for numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS).

According to the Office of National Statistics, 1,075 – or 1.6 per cent – of 18-24-year-olds were claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in the county in October, down from 2,605 in April 2009.

That compares with 3.9 per cent in Wiltshire, 3.4 per cent in Hampshire and three per cent in Buckinghamshire.

The number of apprenticeships offered to 16-18-year-olds in the county has risen by 3.5 per cent, bucking the national trend, with the latest recruitment drive launched by the Cowley Mini plant this week.

Those applying will look to follow in the footsteps of Emma Cross, 16, a former pupil of the John Mason School, in Abingdon, who is training to be a maintenance technician. Emma, a first-year apprentice, said: “I’ve always been interested in engineering but it was when I did work experience at the plant that I knew I wanted to work there.

“The plant supports you and helps you in every way it can and I’m getting well trained while getting paid, which is a great opportunity.”

The plant requires 31 apprentices for roles ranging from engineering to finance starting next August.

Apprentices gain an NVQ level three qualification on the job and some continue to degree level.

Meanwhile, the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is targeting more training and skills for 18 to 24-year-olds between now and 2020.

Chief executive Nigel Tipple said: “Skills are critical in realising the Oxfordshire LEP’s vision of delivering economic growth through innovation. We want to create a robust strategy that will underpin growth with a dynamic programme for a flexible and skilled workforce.”

Another firm targeting 16 to 18-year-olds is the Diamond Light Source, based at Harwell.

It runs a special programme involving 2,000 students a year, 40 per cent of whom are from Oxfordshire schools. It has also teamed up with Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, which employs six apprentices a year, of which Diamond funds two.

Spokesman Isabelle Boscaro-Clarke said: “Visits are hands-on, and when they go back to school they understand the point of it.”

But some experts believe more needs to be done to help young people.

Sally White, of Thame-based career development experts SYLO Associates, said: “An evaluation at sixth-form level is vital, to look at skills and what jobs are suited to them rather than just throwing them into the big wide world and hoping they magically get a job that fits.”