A POST created to help teenagers stay on in education or to find work is to be axed, prompting fears that the number of young dropouts in Bolton could increase.

The news comes just months after education bosses were celebrating a fall in the numbers of young people classed as “NEETs” — not in education, employment or training.

However, council chiefs say they will continue to concentrate on reducing NEET levels.

At the last count 9.6 per cent, 595 teenagers, were considered NEETs, while at the start of last year the figure stood at 11.1 per cent.

Bolton has historically had a problem with young drop-outs and had one of the worst rates in the country for young people failing to get a job, go to college or start an apprenticeship after leaving school. The fall was said to be down to a number of initiatives — including having a NEET co-ordinator.

When the post was introduced in 2007, council chiefs said the role would “make a positive contribution to reducing our NEET numbers in Bolton.”

The Bolton branch of Unison yesterday claimed this latest cost cutting measure will see young people slipping through the net.

Florence Hill, Unison’s children’s service convener, said: “Before the NEET co-ordinator the figures were rising year-on-year-on and I think they will rise again as young people slip through the net. We are very worried for the young people in Bolton.”

The NEET co-ordinator was responsible for identifying those “at risk” at an earlier age and creating a personalised programme of learning for them.

The axing of the post would save £36,800. It is one of seven posts to go within the lifelong learning team saving a total of £558,200.

A council spokesman said: “Reducing the number of young people out of employment, education and training remains a priority for the council.”

Leader of the council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “Many of the functions performed by this team came to the council following the disbanding of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and members of staff were transferred from the LSC to the council.

“However, new national legislation now places much of the responsibility for lifelong learning with a new Manchester-wide combined authority. As a result, the team will be downsized so it is of a suitable size to provide the services still required of the local authority.”