New research suggests young people across London are struggling to access work experience and local job opportunities.
A UK-wide Opinium poll of 1,000 16-25-year-olds commissioned by leading youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint and property finance experts Together, found that 70% of young people across the capital see the availability of local jobs and work experience as a barrier to achieving their career goals.
Young people across London are also struggling to access jobs because of the cost of living, with 72% citing this as a barrier.
Barriers across the UK
Nationally, nearly a third (32%) of young people surveyed do not feel confident that they will achieve their employment goals.
Centrepoint is concerned this low confidence could be driven by a skills gap with just two thirds (66%) of those surveyed believing they have the right skills for the kind of jobs they want.
Latest official figures show 570,000 young people aged 16-24 were unemployed between February and April this year – a 15.6% per cent increase on the same period last year. These are also the highest unemployment figures for young people recorded since December-February 2021.
Centrepoint is urging the next government to ensure young people receive more support and opportunities to get into work, with additional help for those with experience of homelessness.
Young people with experiences of homelessness
Additional research by Centrepoint suggests things are even harder for young people with experience of homelessness.
In a separate survey of more than 200 young people supported by youth homelessness charities, just over a third (36%) said they were not confident they would achieve their employment goals.
Young people with experiences of homelessness – including those who want to work in in sectors like health and social care and construction – said they face barriers such as a lack of experience, availability of local jobs, mental health problems and the cost of living.
Centrepoint has been campaigning to make work pay for young people in supported accommodation, warning that they get an “especially raw deal” from Universal Credit taper rates. The form of Housing Benefit they receive puts them in a unique position where they are disincentivised from working more hours and becoming financially independent. 4 in 10 reported having to turn down a job or more hours because they would be left financially worse off.
A further 21 young people were interviewed and some shared how they have been discriminated against at work for being homeless or living in supported accommodation.
The charity is also urging the next government to extend the National Minimum or Living Wage to apprentices of all ages after their first year to reflect increased skills and experience gained. Centrepoint also says the next government should support employers in introducing innovative employment schemes and apprenticeships designed around young people living in supported accommodation.
Alicia Walker, Head of Policy, Research and Campaigns at Centrepoint said: “Despite young people wanting to work in sectors like business and health and social care – sectors that have seen skills gap vacancies double in the last few years – our research shows that they clearly don’t feel confident that they have the skills or support to achieve their full potential.
“Even more concerning though are the barriers and prejudices young people with experiences of homelessness face. For example, we’ve heard from young people who have been served an especially raw deal and discriminated against due to the fact they are homeless. This is worsened by the fact that young people in supported accommodation are often forced to turn down a job or more hours because doing so would make them financially worse off.
“We can’t continue to let young people down like this. We need the next government to shift the dial on how we support them into sustained employment. Making work pay across the board is one of the most important and impactful steps it could take, particularly for young people with experiences of homelessness.”
Alex Bodie, Director of Corporate and Community Housing at property finance specialist, Together, added: “It is concerning to hear that so many young people feel that the door to achieving their employment ambitions is closed due to the lack of access to meaningful work experience. And for those that experience homelessness, the world of work can be even more inaccessible.
“Creating a level playing field for young people as they look to enter the workplace is crucial to ensure social inclusion. Work that charities such as Centrepoint deliver in terms of, not only providing access to housing, but also highlighting the additional support needed for young people who have experienced homelessness to live independent and fulfilling lives is admirable. Working in partnership with agencies and education providers, business can also play its part to prevent a generation of young people being written off from the job market.”
Together has supported Centrepoint since 2023 providing over £350,000 to the Independent Living Programme to help fund modular housing in Gorton, Manchester. The site, developed in conjunction with Greater Manchester Youth Foundation will help develop 36 independent living homes as the first base in a journey to independence for young homeless people.
