Soapbox: Firms should start hiring Neets if they want to grow their businesses, says Kate Robertson Businesses are missing out on talented employees by ignoring young people who are not in employment, educations or training, known as Neets, in favour of more formally qualified candidates, says Kate Robertson, the co-global president of Havas Worldwide, an advertising, digital and communications agency. Earlier this year Robertson took on two Neets young people into each of Havas Worldwide's six business units in the UK on six month paid internships. The scheme has been such a success that Robertson has now taken on 31 Neets, putting them in all areas of the business. The young people she has taken on have performed so well that so far three quarters of them have been given permanent full time jobs within the business. She said: "I have been stunned at how well it is working. It has been absolutely fantastic. They have got the skills we want. Robertson called on other UK business leaders to take Neets into their organisations, saying they would be amazed at the benefits the young people can bring to their businesses. She said: "All of us have to step up and employ the Neets. It is not that difficult and I just don't think that we are trying as hard as we might. Robertson is also co- founder of One Young World, a global youth charity which helps young people to create positive change to address the world's most pressing problems. She said: "I feel utterly frustrated with this Neets situation because it is a ridiculous in a strong economy like the UK. I have just been so frustrated that any of us have allowed this to happen. Businesses are making a dent in the Neets story but we could do much more. And we could do with more encouragement from government. Robertson said that any fears that employers might have that Neets would be workshy and not have the right attitude were completely misplaced. She said: "There is an impression that young people in this age group can have a sense of entitlement and be disinclined to work hard. That makes a small and medium business think twice about taking on a Neet because they are anxious about that. But it is not true. A lot of Neets have a real will to work and take it seriously.