More young better off in benefits

Silvershadow

AI has a lot to do with it I read. Less entry level jobs for these young people to go into. Times having changed. More automation, less need for people.

I agree and it’s so frustrating that none of our governments think about things like this.

Surely 5 and 10 year plans around future employment and what skills/professions will be required and then training put into place for people to enable them to fill these roles.

For example, there will be less roles in certain areas when automation/AI is in place, but people will be needed to initially create the automation etc. I read that we have a huge shortage of knowledgable staff in AI, as well as still having shortages of nurses/carers/teachers/police.

One of the other problems is that quite a few University degree level young people end up in entry level roles that those leaving school with a handful of GCSE’s could fulfil.

A big overhaul of training posts and apprenticeships needs to happen (yet again) in order to get our young people into sustainable employment.

The previous govt introduced a scheme whereby all young people under 25 had to enter a government training scheme in a wide area of job roles, or have their benefit stopped.

The idea was that the young person would be funded entirely by the govt, by them still receiving their basic Universal Credit payments. So all the companies/organisations taking part effectively got these young people for “free” and the young person got 6 months training and experience.

Also a number of “real” jobs had to be made available and anyone completing the full 6 months would get a guaranteed interview.

Many many different companies took part, it was partially successful, but it was flawed, it required a huge set up of IT, resource from different DWP departments and lacked the requisite checking up on both companies and young people.

It could have worked really well, some organisations, Nando’s for example, entered entirely into the spirit of the project, it gave many many young people the opportunity to learn, and employed a sizeable number of young people on a permanent basis.

However, some organisations were dreadful, many many young people didn’t bother turning up half the time and some who did were lazy and rude!

It was a shame as in theory it was a great scheme.

I know this because I worked on this scheme for the last 18 months of my working life AND my son was made to attend such a scheme, for which I was very grateful, because at that time he was a nightmare, having spent his two years at college in lockdown and being taught (or not) virtually.

Young people are much less mature than previous generations, their expectations of the world of employment is grossly exaggerated by schools and universities. There are plenty of jobs the UK is bringing in migrants to do them.

20 yrs ago I employed a lot of students weekends and holidays mostly they were good, turned up on time and followed instructions. Working in a team the older members mentored them, some stayed, some moved on, it was a pleasure to see the gain confidence.

My recent experience has been with Grandsons polite and good manners but communicated in grunts and would not take simple instructions, so completing a straightforward job was a challenge. I gave up with the second and did the work myself, now at 21 he has become human and does listen to advice and instructions.

I really don't think one can generalise David in that way! I've met large numbers of "just ex" or current students and they just vary so much! True, the ones I meet are ones who are working in "people jobs" capable and helpful.

but goodness me!

I can look at upcoming grandchildren and can tell you that DGS1 is going to find "people things" difficult unless its on computers as he is a whizz

and that DGD and DGS2 are going to be super and outgoing and enjoy engaging .

Maybe many girls get there younger on the whole anyway?

The workplace has changed so much anyway. My brothers grandson did a degree and has applied for no ends of jobs without success. He’s working in a bar restaurant until he gets a job that he’d trained for. His sister didn’t go to university but trained as a hairdresser. She’s never been out of work, has gone mobile and is doing well. I think learning a trade and working for yourself is the answer. In our area, tree surgeons are in high demand, gardeners, plumbers, painters etc. you have to wait weeks for them to have a gap to fit you in.

As we married late we (DH and I) effectively have children almost across two generations, 24,26,28,40 and 42.

I see no differences between any of them as they’ve all been brought up in a fairly similar way, all in work, all can follow instructions.

I do think expectations are higher at younger ages but a good dose of realism soon sets in.