From the Guardian · · 2m
Guardian follows eight young people seeking lasting work
Almost a million UK young people struggle to move from school into stable employment. The Guardian is tracking eight of them as they navigate jobseeking, rejection and a broken social contract.
In brief
Almost a million UK young people struggle to move from school into stable employment. The Guardian is tracking eight of them as they navigate jobseeking, rejection and a broken social contract. The Guardian is launching a series following eight young people battling to find lasting work as almost a million UK youth…
One in eight young people stuck
Almost a million UK young people are struggling to make a lasting move from school into work. This represents one in eight of the age group facing a jobs crisis.
Guardian launches tracking series
Before Alan Milburn's landmark review expected on Tuesday, the Guardian is launching a new series to chronicle the lives of eight young people battling to get a start on the career ladder.
Eight from across the country
The eight participants, aged twenty to twenty-six, will share their stories of jobseeking in uncertain economic times after the Covid pandemic and with AI now upending the jobs market.
Long-term scarring from joblessness
Young people who reach twenty-four without ever having worked stand to lose up to three hundred thousand pounds in earnings over their lifetime, even if they later find jobs.
Endless rejection takes its toll
Many young people describe endless job applications, rejection letters and ghostings by employers. The experience exacts a heavy financial and emotional toll, worsened by social media pressure.
Mental health and shame
Alice, twenty-four, from Bristol, said: there have been occasions where I've not been able to sleep. I've cried in the middle of the night and just thought I don't want to do any of this.
“There have been a couple of occasions where I've not been able to sleep. I've cried in the middle of the night and just thought: 'I don't want to do any of this.'”
The social contract is broken
Aamir, twenty-five, from London, said: the universal credit people told me I'd done everything right. You can do everything right and still lose. I feel like the social contract is broken in Britain.
“The universal credit people told me I'd done everything right. You can do everything right and still lose. I feel like the social contract is broken in Britain.”
Milburn warns of structural failure
Alan Milburn will publish his report on Tuesday, warning of structural failure by market and state that sent young Neets soaring to a million. He calls for benefits system overhaul.
Crisis costs Britain one hundred twenty-five billion
Milburn estimates the cost of Britain's youth jobs crisis amounts to one hundred twenty-five billion pounds a year. Employers miss recruits and consumers, while the state bears rising benefits costs.
Here's the gist
The Guardian is launching a series following eight young people battling to find lasting work as almost a million UK youth struggle with joblessness, rejection and mental health impacts.
