Empowering NEET youth: Assessing the impact of self-directed learning skills intervention

Abstract

A low level of education is a significant risk factor for yo ung people with long-term NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) status. Currently, there is a lack of research focusing on supporting young people who have dropped out of school so they can continue their educational paths. In this quasi-experimental study, the effect of an intervention on the SDL skills of NEET youth was investigated. The study group consisted of 60 participants (experimental group N = 30, control group N = 26, and mentors N = 4) from Estonia, Malta, North Macedonia and Turkey. The intervention was applied to the experimental group in the form of four different activities over six months. The impact was assessed using interviews and the SDL-NEET scale in pre, post and follow-up tests. The Mann-Whitney U Test indicated a significant difference in SDL skills between the control and experimental group. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test confirmed a significant change in SDL skills within the experimental group when comparing pre-test and follow-up test results. The results of the post-tests testified to the positive effect of the intervention activities on the youth's SDL skills. The NEET youth pointed out mentorship's importance and noted the intervention pushed them out of their comfort zone, prompting goal-oriented thinking. Mentors valued the pre-intervention training course and emphasized professional skill development during the intervention. This study confirmed the six-month SDL-NEET intervention effectively improved the SDL skills of NEET youth in the experimental group.