Young, gifted but lacking employment
Young people in the UK need to be given opportunities to show what they can do in the workplace, according to the boss of a leading charity.
British employers cannot afford to stifle the nation’s young talent, it has been suggested.
According to The Prince’s Trust Chief Executive Martina Milburn, investment must be made in the UK’s young people to avoid a whole generation being lost forever.
She explained: “Every one of Britain’s unemployed young people has skills and talents that could make a real difference to this country.”
Her comments came after YouGov research on behalf of The Prince’s Trust and Citi Foundation found that 40 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets) cannot even afford to buy smart clothes to help boost their chances at job interviews.
Furthermore, over a quarter of respondents are worried about debt taking over their lives and 57 per cent harbour concerns they will never be able to purchase their own home.
The study also indicated that the longer people are out of employment, the more likely they are to feel pessimistic about what the future holds.
In a bid to help Neets, the government recently launched a Young Person’s Guarantee scheme that will offer training, a job or work experience to anyone who has been unemployed for six months or more.
While they wait for an opportunity, the best advice for job-seeking youngsters is to keep applying for roles and stay motivated. If you put the work in, you will be rewarded with the job you deserve.
Written by Ben Sillitoe
