THE number of teenage drop-outs in Bolton is falling.

Education bosses are celebrating as latest figures show that the numbers of 16-to-18-year-olds being labelled as NEETs — not in education, employment or training — is decreasing.

They say this is down to a number of initiatives including school leavers being given a tailor-made pathway to a bright future in a scheme designed to stop them from becoming drop-outs.

Under the September Guarantee, every pupil leaving school or finishing sixth form is given a tailor-made plan for the next stage of their lives.

This time last year, 11.1 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds were considered NEETs.

The figure now stands at 9.6 per cent — 595 teenagers — and Town Hall chiefs are close to meeting their eight per cent target by the end of the financial year.

In 2006, 1,180 — which is more than 13 per cent — of youngsters were classed as NEET.

A further breakdown of the council figures shows that the number of 17- year-olds continuing their education or training is also on the rise, despite the tough economic climate.

The number is 83.4 per cent going on to education, employment or training, compared to 80.2 per cent at the same time last year.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, pictured above, executive member for children’s services, said: “The overall 16 to 18 NEET figure for 2010 has fallen thanks to hard work by the local authority, schools, colleges, employers and other post-16 providers targeting vulnerable young people at risk of becoming NEET. Everyone involved should be very proud of their achievements.

“This decrease has come about thanks to more young people staying in learning at the end of year 11 — a figure that is improving year on year.”