Quarter Of Hampshire Young People Feel Unemployable
14 April 2015, 06:07 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Nearly two thirds of young people in Hampshire feel nervous about their employment prospects, according to research published today by charity Action for Children.
The survey of 15 to 26-year-olds in Southampton and Portsmouth has revealed their fears of being ‘unemployable’ and ‘worthless’. 16 per cent in Southampton and 28 percent in Portsmouth feel that they can never have the career they want, with nearly half citing not having the right skills, experience or training as the most common reason.
Action for Children, in partnership with Barclays, has launched ‘Skills for Success’, a nationwide project that aims to equip young people with the basic skills and knowledge to help them into employment or training. Following a successful pilot, the programme of workshops and drop-in advice services is aiming to help 22,000 young people already supported by the charity’s projects over a 13-month period.
The charity works with some of the country’s most vulnerable young people including those in care, not in employment, education or training (NEET) and young carers.
The survey also showed:
Southampton:
- 43 per cent said when applying for jobs in the past they almost always or never got a reply or feedback
- When they did not get any feedback, 50 per cent felt like they wasted their time, and 27 per cent felt they weren’t worth being employed.
- 24 per cent felt the job market is too competitive and there are too few jobs
- 20 per cent did not know what career they want
Portsmouth:
- 42 per cent said when applying for jobs in the past they almost always or never got a reply or feedback
- When they did not get any feedback, 64 per cent felt like they wasted their time, and 27 per cent felt they weren’t worth being employed.
- 33 per cent felt the job market is too competitive and there are too few jobs
- 24 per cent did not know what career they want
- 9 per cent said they did not have the right support including careers advice and mentoring
Sue Turle, Action for Children’s operational director of children’s services in Hampshire, said:
“A job is more than just ‘what you do’, it is a part of who you are and gives people a sense of worth.
“Young people across Hampshire have told us they don’t feel employable, feel uncertain, lack confidence and are not getting the support and advice they need. Those that Action for Children supports have the additional burden of coping with turbulent, often traumatic lives. For them, the risk of unemployment and the financial, social and emotional problems that often come with it are even greater.
“Giving the most vulnerable young people the right support and advice to help them get on the job ladder is vital, and with our new programme, Skills for Success, we hope to be able to help thousands of youngsters over the coming year.”
Kathleen Britain, head of UK Community Investment at Barclays, said:
“Our insights show that young people are daunted by the competitiveness of today’s job market and struggle to find the right support, career advice and mentoring to move forward. That’s why we are committed to equipping the next generation with the training they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their families through the Skills for Success programme.”
