Oldham has recorded participation rates in education and training that exceed both regional and national averages, according to the latest Department for Education figures for the 2025/26 academic year.
The data shows that 93.2 per cent of Oldham's 16 and 17-year-olds are participating in education and training, an increase of 2.8 percentage points on the previous year. This compares favourably with the North West average of 91.8 per cent and the England average of 92.2 per cent.
NEET figures fall significantly
The borough has also significantly reduced the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Oldham's combined NEET and Not Known rate has fallen to 4.6 per cent, down 1.1 percentage points from 2024/25.
This is significantly lower than both the North West average of 5.5 per cent and the England average of 5.8 per cent.
Tracking and support partnership
The figures highlight Oldham's strong performance in tracking and supporting young people, in partnership with the charity Positive Steps. Only 59 young people out of 7,177 are currently unaccounted for – 0.8 per cent of the borough's young people. This is well below the North West average of 1.3 per cent and the England average of 2.4 per cent.
Positive Steps provides young people with support, careers advice and guidance after school, or between 19 and 25 if they have an Education Healthcare Plan (EHCP), helping them to move into education, training or employment.
Council and partnership commitment
Oldham Council said the figures demonstrate the positive impact of support available to young people across the borough, achieved through partnership working between Positive Steps, schools, colleges, training providers, employers and council services.
Donna Graham, Service Lead for Education and Guidance Services at Positive Steps, said the outcomes reflect the ambition and resilience of Oldham's young people alongside the strength of partnership working across the borough. She added that the organisation is committed to ensuring every young person has access to guidance, support and opportunities to make informed choices about their future.