Latest news with #MovementtoWork
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas
Almost a million young people aged under 25 are categorised as being NEETs — not in employment, education or training SUNEMPLOYMENT How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas THE number of entry-level jobs suitable for school and college leavers has dropped dramatically. They have plunged by almost a third since ChatGPT was launched in November 2022, as more firms begin to use AI for basic tasks. Advertisement 4 Brandon Tattersall was out of work for 16 months when he lost his job at Currys Credit: Supplied Already, almost a million young people aged under 25 are categorised as being NEETs — not in employment, education or training. But while firms complain of a skills shortage, unlocking the potential of jobless youngsters could plug the gap and turbocharge economic growth. Youth Employment Week begins on Monday and will see charities, social enterprises and youth workers come together to highlight the enormous potential of the UK's younger generation. Here are some of the best to help you . . . Advertisement MOVEMENT TO WORK is a not-for-profit coalition of major UK employers aiming to break the 'no work experience, no work' cycle. Employers including Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, Centrica, Diageo, Marriott, M&S, Tesco and Salesforce have signed up to offer work experience to NEETs. Applicants do not need formal qualifications. After Brandon Tattersall lost his job at Currys he was out of work for 16 months. Advertisement But with help from his social worker, he secured a placement at BAE Systems through Movement to Work and was offered a job with the firm. Now 26, Brandon is an HR data analyst. He said: 'The programme didn't just offer a placement — it gave me the skills and interview practice needed to feel prepared for future applications and gain the real work experience employers ask for.' Disability benefit explained - what you can claim Movement to Work CEO Sareena Bains said: 'In the face of rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, removing barriers to work has never been more critical.' See or contact info@ Advertisement As a dad at the age of 14 and a grandfather at 35, Alex Hughes has faced struggles in his life. But he is now one of the country's leading social entrepreneurs, running youth work placement specialists Alex said: 'I would love to see society treat young people as contributors, not problems to fix. "We need to stop seeing youth unemployment as a charity issue and start treating it like a national economic priority.' Advertisement Through targeted careers coaching and locally focused work experience, Alex has helped 10,000 young people into jobs, training and community work in Cambridgeshire and he has plans to roll out the programme across the country. He is also calling for employers to recognise what many NEET people have experienced. He added: 'If someone's navigated homelessness, debt, care or trauma, they have the resilience and resourcefulness many employers want.' YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UK offers careers advice and free online training for young people, including virtual work experience with big-name companies. Advertisement There is also local support and the chance to explore individual employers. You can find out more at 4 The number of entry-level jobs suitable for school and college leavers has dropped dramatically Credit: Getty Top tips UNEMPLOYED and feeling out of luck? Here are Alex Hughes' top tips to help . . . 1. You are not the problem. The system is messy, and it often makes you feel like you are failing. You just haven't found your space yet. 2. Find your people. Surround yourself with those who listen and look out for you. Whether it is a youth group, a mentor or a local hub. Community changes everything. 3. Try something that feels too small to matter. A one-day event. A volunteer role. Saying yes to a random opportunity. That tiny move might be your big unlock. Just consider how this experience will help you develop yourself. 4. Turn rejection into redirection. Every 'no' is fuel. Take it as a sign you are trying and that means you are already further than most. 5. Ask for help, loudly or quietly. There are people and places who are built to back you. Don't suffer in silence. You are not alone. 6. Dream big then take one step. You don't need a ten-year plan. You need a reason to get out of bed this week. One step is enough. Then another. Then another. 'ROLE AT GP SURGERY HAS BOOSTED MY FINANCIAL HEALTH' WHEN you are young with a learning disability or autism, finding a job can be even more challenging. Advertisement But supported internships are proving one of the most effective ways for people to show off their skills to potential employers. 4 DFN Project SEARCH is a charity that has helped young people like Juned Ali Credit: Supplied DFN Project SEARCH is a charity that helped more than 4,500 young people gain work experience last year, with structured study programmes for school and college leavers aged 16 to 24. The national charity works with young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Advertisement It aims to increase the employment rate for youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities, with 63 per cent of trainees going on to employment. One of the programme's top success stories is Juned Ali, from London. Juned, who has a mild learning disability, did a placement at Queen Mary University of London. He now has a role as a GP's co-ordinator and administrative assistant. Advertisement He said: 'DFN Project SEARCH has completely changed my life. At first, my mum was reluctant about me starting the supported internship, but when she saw how well I was doing, she was proud. 'Now, I earn my own money. I don't have to ask my family for things, like I did when I was younger. I can just go out and get it. I kick-started my career from the age of 18, and I'm thriving. 'I'm 20 years old, and my goal is to keep progressing in my career, work towards higher roles and, someday, get married.' Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH, said: 'We see young adults with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, demonstrate their talents and capabilities every day.' Advertisement Jobspot PICK up a retail role. ALDI is recruiting 1,000 people, with roles from cleaners to managers. See And B&M Stores has more than 80 jobs going including in security and management. See SWERVE BURNOUT WITH HOL 'HOLIDAY hoarding' is a growing issue, as two thirds of staff now fail to take half their annual leave by the middle of the year. HR experts have designated this week as the peak for burnout, with staff becoming ill through lack of time off. 4 Charlie O'Brien, of Breathe HR, shares her advice for tacking holiday hoarding Credit: Supplied Charlie O'Brien, of Breathe HR, shares her advice for tacking holiday hoarding. Advertisement 1. Reflect on why you are holiday hoarding. Are you leaving it late when it comes to booking holidays? Is your workload preventing you from taking a break? Or are you worried about what your employer might think if you take all your leave? If it is a workplace culture or workload issue, talk to your manager. We are all entitled to take our holiday and our employer should not make us feel guilty about doing so. 2. Book time off – even if you don't end up going away. We need regular breaks from work to give us time to relax, reset, and show up as our best selves at work. Advertisement 3. Make a plan to 'holiday hack'. Maximising annual leave is really important. Be savvy about when you book leave, and plan ahead to spread your holidays through the year. Look at least a year ahead and make the most of the bank holidays to stretch your leave even further. 4. Try microbreaks. Getting the dates booked is the first step to holding yourself accountable and giving yourself permission to take the regular breaks from work you are entitled to. 5. Assess why you are carrying over holiday to the next year. It's fine if it is planned, but it shouldn't be happening by accident. Cost of teenage try-outs A LACK of money is holding back millions of young people from accessing work experience, research says. The AAT study reveals 41 per cent of 14 to 18-year-olds have less than £8 per day to spend on work experience-related costs such as travel, food and suitable clothing. Meanwhile, almost a third of employers say increased operational and staffing costs are affecting their ability to pay work experience students or cover expenses. To help, AAT has teamed up with Springpod to launch virtual work experience into the sought-after accountancy sector. AAT boss Sarah Beale said: 'Too many young people are locked out of early career experiences simply because they don't have the opportunities or right connections. 'That's a clear barrier to social mobility, and one we are determined to break down.' Apply for work experience at Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scheme will draw youth into employment
Young people in the West Midlands with health conditions will be helped into work as part of a £5.7m scheme, regional officials say. Connect to Work is expected to help up to 1,400 people aged between 18 and 24 to find jobs, the West Midlands Combined Authority said. In combination with the seven councils in the region, the authority said it would work with businesses "so young people can be matched to the right jobs". Across the region 27,265 young people claim Universal Credit, of which 12,660 have health conditions, the authority said. All council areas have higher rates of people aged between 18 and 24 claiming unemployment related benefits than the national average. Last summer, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker pledged to work with businesses to create 20,000 new work experience opportunities, training placements and apprenticeships for young people. Last month, YouthPath was set up by charity Movement to Work and the WMCA to help create career opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training. "Every person in our region should have the same to access to work opportunities - including people with disabilities or long term health conditions," Mr Parker said. "By having the same access to opportunities, everyone has the freedom to make the right choices for them - to help them earn, live independently and improve their health and wellbeing." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Project aims to combat youth unemployment Budget will tackle biggest challenges, says mayor West Midlands Combined Authority
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Scheme will draw youth into employment
Young people in the West Midlands with health conditions will be helped into work as part of a £5.7m scheme, regional officials to Work is expected to help up to 1,400 people aged between 18 and 24 to find jobs, the West Midlands Combined Authority combination with the seven councils in the region, the authority said it would work with businesses "so young people can be matched to the right jobs".Across the region 27,265 young people claim Universal Credit, of which 12,660 have health conditions, the authority said. All council areas have higher rates of people aged between 18 and 24 claiming unemployment related benefits than the national summer, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker pledged to work with businesses to create 20,000 new work experience opportunities, training placements and apprenticeships for young month, YouthPath was set up by charity Movement to Work and the WMCA to help create career opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training."Every person in our region should have the same to access to work opportunities - including people with disabilities or long term health conditions," Mr Parker said."By having the same access to opportunities, everyone has the freedom to make the right choices for them - to help them earn, live independently and improve their health and wellbeing." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Project aims to combat youth unemployment in the West Midlands
A project to help tackle the high level of youth unemployment in the West Midlands has been has been set up by charity Movement to Work and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to help create career opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).Figures show more than 987,000 young people in the UK are classed as NEET, with Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall having rates double the national Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said he wanted to create 20,000 training, work experience and apprenticeship placements in the next few years. Encouragement "I left school at 16 and went straight into work but was lucky enough to get the support and encouragement I needed to start out on a new career path," Mr Parker, said at the launch event in Birmingham on Wednesday."I want every young person to have the same opportunity I had so they can get ahead in life."He added: "We've already created 5,000 [placements] but there is still more to do and I'm calling on employers to work with me to help drive down youth unemployment."During October to December 2024, an estimated 14.4% of all male 16 to 24-year-olds were NEET, with 12.3% of all females in the same age group, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures Bains, chief executive of Movement to Work, said she hoped the project opened doors and helped businesses become "more inclusive and fit for the future"."We have over 10 years of experience in supporting businesses with their youth employment strategies – and as a charity, we do it all free of charge," she said."By joining YouthPath, West Midlands business leaders can help shape a brighter future for our region's young people."Katie Stansbie, who was in the NEET category before building a career with retailer M&S, said: "I'm so grateful to have completed the Marks and Start programme, it has given me full time employment, financial independence and a new sense of purpose and self-confidence."Engagement sessions will take place over the coming weeks, with businesses and organisations invited to pledge support to the scheme. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
