New figures show that youth unemployment in the UK is rising. Unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds is now 15.8%, the highest level since 2020. Behind this number are many talented young people who are finding it hard to get their first job.
There are many reasons for this. Some young people are told they need experience before they can get a job, but they cannot get that experience without being given a chance. Others may be dealing with low confidence, anxiety, changes in education, or a lack of suitable jobs near where they live.
This affects more than just the young people themselves. Since the pandemic, more young people have not been in education, work or training. This is sometimes called being NEET. It is estimated to cost the UK economy billions of pounds in lost productivity and missed potential. Most importantly, every young person who is left behind means lost talent, ambition and opportunity.
Government, schools, colleges and universities all have a part to play. But businesses can help too.
At Blakeney, we believe potential matters just as much as experience. That is why we offer paid internships for university graduates. We do not want money to stop talented people from getting useful work experience. By paying at least the London Living Wage, we aim to make these opportunities fair, meaningful and worthwhile.
For many young people, that first chance can make all the difference. They may not have years of experience on their CV, but they can bring fresh ideas, energy, curiosity and a strong wish to learn. If employers only look at what people have done before, they may miss what those people could do in the future.
More organisations may need to think again about what “experience” really means. Sometimes the best way to help someone get experience is to give them a chance.
Supporting young people is the right thing to do. It is also an investment in the future workforce, future ideas and future growth. The question for employers is simple: what chances are you creating for the next generation?
Source: Youth unemployment statistics – House of Commons Library
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