The Bedford Colleges Group: working together to reduce NEETs

The Bedford College Group has three specific programmes which ensure that those who are at risk of becoming, or already are, NEET are supported to have successful outcomes.

The first is Choices which offers two qualifications: the Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 progression diploma and a smaller, entry-level qualification for those who did not achieve any grades in school. The programme takes a holistic approach and is centred on creating a supportive environment for students through ongoing mentorship, tailored lessons and emotional support. The goal is not creating a stop-gap solution but giving young people the skills and confidence to move onto further levels of education or employment. 

Alongside Choices is RESET, a personalised and flexible programme focused on individual career aspirations. This is available at three colleges, and the curriculum is employer-led and designed to support learners to develop employability skills, access vocational opportunities, identify the skills needed for their chosen career pathway, build confidence and resilience, and prepare for progression. It features an employer mentoring scheme where learners are partnered with an aspirational employer who supports them with planning their next steps and making a successful transition into employment, further study, or training. To date, 20 employers have signed up for the scheme.

And finally, the re-engage programme is specifically for learners who are already NEET. The purpose of the programme is to reintroduce learners to an education and training environment, remove barriers to participation, increase confidence and readiness for learning, and support learners into suitable college courses, training opportunities, or employment pathways. 

Critical to the success of the programmes is the Strategic Lead for Transitions who plays an active role in NEET prevention working groups across all three counties linked to TBCG. This work includes close collaboration with local authorities, careers hubs, careers advisers, secondary schools, and alternative provision settings. These partnerships strengthen the ability to identify learners at risk early, provide effective careers information, advice and guidance (CIAG), and ensure appropriate support is in place to help learners transition successfully into post-16 education, training, or employment.

The impact of the programmes is clear to see. In Choices, 100% of enrolled learners completed the programme, with 37% continuing into further study at another college, 26% continuing on to a next Choices course and 23% going into employment. Last year the programme hosted 50 learners and this year that number has more than doubled. 

The RESET Programme has a 100% progression rate, with all students continuing on their GCSE maths and English programmes. The number of elective home education (EHE) applicants has increased from 85 in March 2025 to 150 in March 2026.