Croydon College has moved to try to improve the training and employment opportunities for the borough’s young people by opening its doors to students starting new courses in January.

Fresh start: Croydon College is helping get NEETs back into education

Croydon has one of the highest proportions of NEETs in London – young people not in education, employment or training. Croydon College believes that January enrolment offers an alternative pathway back into structured learning.

Last month, 138 16-to-18-year-olds enrolled as part of the College’s January intake, “giving learners a second chance to re-engage with education rather than waiting until the next academic year”, the college said.

For the first time, Croydon College offered its widest range of courses for a January start, including construction, hair and beauty, sport, travel and tourism, health and social care, and children and young people.

“Welcoming learners through our January intake is about re-engaging young people at a point where they may otherwise disengage from education altogether,” according to Kirstie Woodcock, the college’s executive director of student services.

Having an intake midway through the academic year, Woodcock said, “builds confidence and helps learners develop practical skills, while breaking the cycle of disengagement that can come with being not in education, employment or training at such a critical age”.

Woodcock said that the choice of available courses also responds to the demands of the local labour market.

The January intake can also access the college’s support services, including careers advice, work experience opportunities and some financial grants.

Next month, Croydon College (March 17, from 5pm to 7pm) and Coulsdon Sixth Form College (March 24, 5pm to 7pm) are holding open evenings ahead of courses beginning in September 2026.

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