The reality for many young job seekers is grim, and it’s not just a few unlucky souls. Experts are highlighting a “lost generation,” with over a million individuals under 24 caught in a frustrating limbo, lacking both jobs and training opportunities that could lead them there. Take Zaynah, a 24-year-old who, since leaving college a year ago, has thrown her hat into the ring for more than 200 jobs, yet not a single employer has reached out to her. She’s currently participating in a six-week charity scheme named Spear, which is helping her rebuild her confidence. “I had eczema, which really held me back from pursuing my passion for nail art. I’ve always wanted to work in makeup,” she shares. She’s now applying for makeup roles in retail, but her journey hasn’t been easy. “I’ve never worked before and I was quite shy. Now, I can hold conversations better, but I feel like my lack of experience is really holding me back. Some people my age, they just don’t know what they want to do, and that’s what’s keeping them stuck,” she adds.
Then there’s Luke, a 23-year-old who graduated from Central St Martin’s University with a degree in product design. He’s been on a relentless hunt, applying for over 400 positions. “The application process is pretty vile,” he explains. “You fill out your details online, and then they want the same information again in a different format. You end up redoing everything from scratch.” Luke emphasizes that anyone graduating would naturally think they are ready for entry-level jobs, only to find out that many companies are either financially strapped or have replaced roles with AI. The constant rejections have taken a toll on his mental health. “I started claiming Universal Credit last March. Walking into job centers is a real downer. It feels like all my efforts mean nothing. You want to enter your field but don’t have enough experience for the job,” he says, adding that he’s often deemed overskilled for basic roles like stacking shelves, a task he’s done before. “I even got rejected for cleaning jobs and typical café roles. I had one interview for a janitorial position – they said they’d get back to me, but I never heard anything.”
Tarun, at just 18, experienced a family tragedy when his grandmother passed away, prompting a trip to India that interrupted his studies. “I was doing plumbing level two, but I had to leave. When I came back, I was lost,” he admits. “I’ve been looking for work and education for a year, but I kept hitting dead ends. They all asked for experience I didn’t have. I felt trapped in a loop.” Yet, he found a way to cope by channeling his energy into writing and rapping. “It helped me entertain myself during that tough time,” he reflects.
Eloise, 24, is another frustrated job seeker, despite holding a first-class degree in English and creative writing, along with a master’s. “I’ve done tons of volunteering and work experience, but still, I’ve only had four interviews,” she laments. “I took a temp job at a pub, but it’s not what I want to do. Two jobs ghosted me, and only one gave feedback saying I needed more experience.” She’s been applying in both Stirling and Edinburgh, even using her brother’s address to increase her chances, but nothing has panned out. “I’m really worried. If I don’t find work by the end of this year, I might have to move back to my village and live a minimum-wage life. The only person from my master’s program who has a relevant job moved back to America for it,” she shares.
Clover, only 20, spent three years following advice on job hunting, and now has a retail job with no guaranteed hours. “I got lucky because a friend vouched for me,” he explains. “It’s a zero-hours contract, and while it’s something, it’s not where I want to be. I hear older folks say we don’t want to work, but it’s just that we’re being offered peanuts for jobs we don’t want.” He notes how often he applied to postings, only to hear back 1 out of 10 times. Colleges and universities offer support for crafting CVs and applying effectively, but the reality is that even with all that help and extensive volunteering, it just never seems to be enough.
John Boumphrey argues that the education system isn’t adequately preparing young people for the workforce. Recruiters are noting that each graduate role now receives around 140 applications, making the competition fierce. Meanwhile, a water firm is working with the government to allocate 25 roles each year to those who have been in care, marking an important initiative. As Stella Black echoes the sentiment of many, she’s applied for hundreds of jobs only to receive a handful of responses.
So, what’s next for this generation of hopefuls? The struggles continue as they navigate an increasingly competitive job market, balancing dreams with harsh realities.
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber