Young Adults Wrestling with Employment Challenges
Recent data reveals that young individuals are carrying the weight of a struggling job market in the United Kingdom. Unemployment rates are alarmingly high among this group, with approximately 16.1% of individuals aged between 16 and 24 finding it tough to secure work. This is significantly higher than the national unemployment rate which stands at 5.1%.
It's important to note that these figures don't include folks who are not actively job hunting due to health issues or ongoing education.
Industries Cutting Staff and Costs
Companies, particularly those in sectors that traditionally provide entry-level employment opportunities for young adults such as hospitality and retail, are citing increased expenses as a reason for staff reductions or hiring freezes. This, unfortunately, impacts young workers the most.
Even the pursuit of graduate-level positions is proving to be a tough nut to crack.
Take Lucy Gabb for instance, who is currently employed at a café in London while simultaneously trying to get a foot in the door of the publishing industry. Despite applying for over 50 positions, she has only managed to secure a single face-to-face interview.
"The competition for entry-level jobs is fierce, and they demand experience that's nearly impossible to gain while you're also studying," she explains. "It's incredibly disheartening when you've dedicated so much time to your studies and yet, getting a job seems out of reach."
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Companies argue that government policies, including a rise in the minimum wage, have contributed to their increased costs. However, there's also the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, which some believe is leading to job cuts.
AI can handle time-consuming tasks like data processing, implementing detailed instructions, or producing basic reports and communications. These are tasks often associated with entry-level roles, leading to a potential scarcity of such positions for young job seekers.
On the other hand, some job seekers are using AI to their advantage, using it to craft job applications and increase the number of positions they can apply for. But even jobs that can't easily be replaced by AI, like caring roles, are proving difficult to secure.
The Struggle Continues
Alex Huke shares his own experience of facing unemployment since last autumn and applying for over 40 jobs across various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and care. "It's quite discouraging as you don't hear back from a lot and the applications often require a lot of effort or providing data about yourself," the 21-year-old says.
Similarly, Terry Butler has been trying to secure work on a farm after graduating from agricultural college. However, he finds that his queries often go unanswered. "They'd rather experience than your fancy pass or merit in farming [college]."
Government Steps In
The government has pledged to address youth unemployment with a Youth Guarantee Scheme. This initiative aims to create thousands of apprenticeships and guarantee paid work for individuals aged 18 to 21 if they have been out of education or employment for 18 months.
However, some believe that similar support should be extended to university graduates. Olivia Diss, a 24-year-old graduate, suggests a scheme similar to the Youth Guarantee Scheme but specifically for graduates. "How are they going to ensure our degrees are put to use?" she questions.