Blacksmithing and creative arts offered as routes into work for young people excluded from standard pathways
Eight in ten young people in Surrey who are not in education, employment or training are actively seeking work or a route back into learning. The barrier, research shows, is not a lack of motivation – it is a lack of accessible routes in.
Research from the Centre for Britain and Europe at the University of Surrey, conducted in collaboration with the High Sheriff of Surrey, sets out the scale of the challenge. Around 8.4% of 16–18-year-olds in Surrey are classified as NEET – not in education, employment or training – or have an unknown status each year, amounting to more than 1,400 individuals. The finding that around 80% of them are actively looking for opportunities makes a clear case for more targeted engagement with the organisations already delivering effective support.
"Growing NEETs Skills in Surrey: A Place-based Grassroots Pilot" has been funded through the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) at the University of Surrey, as part of the cross-university "Future of Work in Surrey" call supported by Surrey County Council. The project brings research into direct contact with practice, building on evidence that young people who are disengaged from mainstream education and employment are often best reached through trusted local organisations and practical, skills-based activities.
Two grassroots organisations have been central to the project's design from the outset. The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing provides hands-on training in a craft with a well-established record of building practical skills, confidence and routes into employment or further learning. The Phoenix Cultural Centre offers an inclusive creative space with volunteering, workshops and industry-led training that has already helped participants progress into study and work.
The project will also support the development of a wider community of practice across Surrey, bringing together the University of Surrey, UCA and Royal Holloway, University of London, alongside local stakeholders working on youth skills and inclusion. The aim is to build more joined-up approaches over time, drawing on shared learning from across the sector.
At UCA, we are delighted to contribute to this important project for Surrey and its young community, supporting them in overcoming barriers and realising their full potential for the future. By offering our distinct perspective in arts and culture, young participants will have the opportunity to experience how creative approaches can foster inclusive participation, problem-solving, networking, co-creation, and engagement, among many other skills. We very much look forward to working closely with our partners and engaging with young people across Surrey, building on this initial pilot project.Professor Elisabetta Lazzaro from the University for the Creative Arts
Researchers are working closely within each organisation – speaking with staff and young people and observing how creative and vocational activities build confidence and practical skills. The project will produce case studies, a shared toolkit and policy recommendations to guide future investment in skills and inclusion across the county. It is intended to serve as the foundation for a larger-scale collaboration.
By maximising professional sound and lighting infrastructure during live and off-peak periods, we support the sustainability of grassroots venues while showcasing their wider value to the creative industries. Our work develops not only artists but also technicians, managers, and future community leaders through industry-led training and hands-on experience. Participants have progressed into further study and employment, discovering new ambitions along the way. This pilot allows us to build on that success and share our approach, demonstrating how underused infrastructure, community expertise and strong partnerships can break down economic, physical and psychological barriers, opening up opportunities that were previously out of reach.Elaine McGinty, CEO and Founder of the Phoenix Cultural Centre
The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing is thrilled to be a partner in this important project. Based on decades of working with young people, we passionately believe that blacksmithing can play a hugely beneficial role in the current challenging education, employment and training climate. We recognise that we are isolated and niche, and we welcome this valuable opportunity to maximise our potential with external professional support. Our blacksmithing craft is characterised by the powerful effects of bringing different elements together. We can't wait to see what magic will happen with this pilot project's deliberate combining of contrasting worlds.Lucy and Tom Quinnell, directors of the Quinnell School of Blacksmithing
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Notes to editors
- Professor Amelia Hadfield and Professor Elisabetta Lazzaro are available for interview. Please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.
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