CYP Now - Disadvantaged young people 'locked out of employment opportunities'

Young people feel excluded from the jobs market and are “rapidly losing hope” they will find work, with those from disadvantaged groups worst affected, a survey has revealed.

A third of young people told researchers that they struggled to get job interviews. Picture: Adobe Stock

Almost a third of the 5,000 young people surveyed do not think they will ever be able to achieve their career ambitions.

This proportion rises among disadvantaged groups of young people, with 35 per cent of those out of work, 59 per cent of ex-offenders, 44 per cent of care leavers and 54 per cent of refugees fearing their career ambitions will never be met.

One in ten say they may never work, found the survey of 18- to 24-year-olds.

“Worryingly, young people seem to be rapidly losing hope as they face what they see as a hostile labour market with limited opportunities to get a foot on the ladder and progress – suggesting they are being let down by the education system, government and employers alike,” said training body City & Guilds, which carried out the survey.

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