Picture from The Independent
In exclusive reports published today, we receive a somewhat pretty alarming and concerning ordeal in relation to young people and unemployment. More than 50,000 young people have "gone missing" from official statistics and are receiving no support.
One highlighting claim was that, NEETS (people not in education,employment and training) are a bigger problem than the authorities anticipate and it is going un-noticed.
Forgive me for my annoyance at those in authoritative figures, but this is yet another reason why I have a lack of trust and belief in the system. I have four younger siblings, all under the age of 18 and one sibling whom is 19 years of age. I can't help but feel worried about the current state of the competitive job market and the lack of opportunities for those who already come from low-income families.
I come from a working- class family and so I have experienced financial constraints in various ways. With the student loan I get, not lasting me long, and me, realising a grand is not actually a lot of money (though I'm very grateful the government is helping me in this way although I do have to pay back this massive debt). I have actively been seeking work over the last 3-4 years, doing a variety of jobs in security, fundraising, retail and promotional work. Needless to say, they have all been challenging and should I mention, short-term contracts.
I am currently not in employment and disheartened with all these recruitment agencies and so called advice centres who fail to actually support people into finding a job. I went to a local job finding centre last summer and found it hilarious that all they could offer was to look at my CV, the rest was down to me. Now, I am not saying I need to be spoonfed, but I would like to think that these so called 'professionals' would actually be paid for helping me earn a quid or two, not just sitting down and accessing social media on their phones.
Don't get it twisted, but I am continuously seeking paid work, applying to vacancies online as well as going to the odd retail shop or two and handing the manager my CV.
The government really needs to intervene, if it wants to boost the economy and livelihood of its citizens. We will be the next generation, the current and next workforce. Care about us and invest in our futures. It is not enough to have these youth employment schemes which are little, but organisations that simply nod youngsters and those in the NEET category in the right direction. We need those who can help to utilise their contacts and expertise. Everyone needs an income.