'Lost generation’: why can’t young people get jobs? What should be done?

twaddle

butterandjam

@twaddle No! Do not bring back woodwork and domestic science! Skills needed in life and in the workplace don't need domestic science and woodwork. They need to be more generic.

Learning to use everyday tools, make a meal or simple items, ARE very generic lifeskills. Attention to verbal or written instructions ( a recipe; or a demonstration) ARE skills needed in life and the workplace, sought by every employer.

Since when did every pupil (male and female) ever do woodwork and domestic science at school? I studied neither when I was at school, but can still cook nutritious meals on a budget and can even do basic DIY. Fortunately, I was taught how to read and follow instructions in online videos.

Doing woodwork and domestic science is not going to help young people find jobs. They might as well be taught how to knit socks. There are never going to be a million jobs for carpenters.

So carpentry is not a skill used by builders, and cooking is not a skill used in Food Service, there are many that are going to be doing exactly those practical jobs to earn a living. Being able to use basic tools and equipment with reasonable skill is a valuable asset and you only aquire that from practice not from a book.It's not going to be for everyone but the less academic students do need something that they can be creative, enjoy and achieve.

twaddle

butterandjam

@twaddle No! Do not bring back woodwork and domestic science! Skills needed in life and in the workplace don't need domestic science and woodwork. They need to be more generic.

Learning to use everyday tools, make a meal or simple items, ARE very generic lifeskills. Attention to verbal or written instructions ( a recipe; or a demonstration) ARE skills needed in life and the workplace, sought by every employer.

Since when did every pupil (male and female) ever do woodwork and domestic science at school? I studied neither when I was at school, but can still cook nutritious meals on a budget and can even do basic DIY. Fortunately, I was taught how to read and follow instructions in online videos.

Doing woodwork and domestic science is not going to help young people find jobs. They might as well be taught how to knit socks. There are never going to be a million jobs for carpenters.

I was taught at school how to knit, cook, hand and machine sew and make nets. ( A jolly useful skill to have when the football goal needed repair.)

My sons all learned to knit (for Actionman) in Primary school, and passed their "Sewing Machine Driving Test" in High School.These were presented to pupils as a tricky skill requiring some patience, concentration. Struggles mistakes and trying again led to success, in a skill recognised and practised by adults, M and F.

Handicraft wasn't the only point. They were all learning that persistent effort, care and precision pays off. That new interests and skills increase self esteem and confidence. A valuable mindset to acquire, for life.

That's an outlook that does help young people into employment.

There are always jobs for handy(wo)men, anybody with a can-do attitude, willing to take their time and do it well

Monica, I agree with everything you said. The lack of resilience in too many young people - NB I’m not saying all of them - is frightening.

And nobody is ever allowed to say ‘For heaven’s sake just get a grip!’ to anybody any more. It will be detrimental to their mental health.

butterandjam

@twaddle No! Do not bring back woodwork and domestic science! Skills needed in life and in the workplace don't need domestic science and woodwork. They need to be more generic.

Learning to use everyday tools, make a meal or simple items, ARE very generic lifeskills. Attention to verbal or written instructions ( a recipe; or a demonstration) ARE skills needed in life and the workplace, sought by every employer.

Since when did every pupil (male and female) ever do woodwork and domestic science at school? I studied neither when I was at school, but can still cook nutritious meals on a budget and can even do basic DIY. Fortunately, I was taught how to read and follow instructions in online videos.

Doing woodwork and domestic science is not going to help young people find jobs. They might as well be taught how to knit socks. There are never going to be a million jobs for carpenters.

@twaddle No! Do not bring back woodwork and domestic science! Skills needed in life and in the workplace don't need domestic science and woodwork. They need to be more generic.

Learning to use everyday tools, make a meal or simple items, ARE very generic lifeskills. Attention to verbal or written instructions ( a recipe; or a demonstration) ARE skills needed in life and the workplace, sought by every employer.

Maremia

Haven't read all the Thread. Out just now. Has anyone mentioned how AI will 'steal' so many jobs?
Apologies if repeating a well worn issue.

Even jobs in hospital admin, where secretaries used to transcribe doctor’s notes.

There's an interesting article in the Guardian about the Netherlands is tackling the challenge of NEETs:

www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/29/netherlands-britain-youth-jobs-crisis

Maybe there are some hints for the UK.

JaneJudge

There are loads of people every age who are lazy and unrealistic

True!

There are loads of people every age who are lazy and unrealistic

Totally agree!

That’s really good Cossy. Very hopeful for all of them. My neighbours son is a singer. He does wedding gigs, that type of thing. He’s also a young father and does DIY jobs in his spare time, a bit of lawn mowing too. But his main love is singing she tells me.

Maremia

Haven't read all the Thread. Out just now. Has anyone mentioned how AI will 'steal' so many jobs?
Apologies if repeating a well worn issue.

I did. It's a fact that the nature of work is changing - just as it did in the Industrial Revolution, when handwoven goods disappeared.

I expect people can remember that when 16 year olds left school, there were (for example) thousands of jobs available as bank clerks for school leavers with five O levels. Those jobs have all gone.

Populists are seizing on simple solution (mainly getting rid of immigrant workers), but it's much more complicated than that. The problems began to show in national statistics around 2015, so it's nit related to just one government.

I'm sure there are some young people who are lazy and unrealistic, but the truth is that the problem is structural. There are fewer jobs around. Unskilled/repetitive jobs are being done by robots, which includes legal and banking clerical jobs. Even recruitment roles are done by AI. CVs are screened by AI and some initial online "interviews" are AI.

The issue needs a multi-focused, long term approach to come up with possible solutions - with significant investment, if needed.

fancythat

I dont think many people are able to make a decent living from the above.
Could be wrong.

Depends what you feel is decent living?

My son and his extremely creative gf are simply want creative work which brings in enough to support them both living independently. They value their happiness in doing jobs they love more than they do money. They do not plan to have children, she has many physical internal issues which would make this very hard.

They are utterly devoid of any love of material things, my son has a current SIA card so does the odd bit of security work, his gf is a professional photographer, mainly bands and festivals, but has photographed some very big singers at the London 02, she also has other “creative” job roles, she works freelance for both the BBC and Disney.

They will get by, you’d be surprised.

We love them both and have witnessed the joy their jobs bring themselves and others.

After just one year, DS has gigged uk wide, including Wales and Scotland and is hoping for both sides of Ireland and bigger venues next year. He’s booked until January 2026, performing approx 5-6 times at month and has festival bookings.

They are doing well for a young band.

SusieB50

I feel desperate for the young people of today. It is so tough for them . It’s a very complex problem and I’m relieved that the Milburn report is being given a lot of attention. One thing I was talking with a friend about is that as the retirement age has increased, there is stagnation and people can’t progress. I know the country says it can’t afford the State Pension but something has to give for our youth. One solution would be for the 65- 67 year old could retire at 65 get the SP but volunteer their services to train and mentor the young people where businesses say they haven’t the time to employ and train inexperienced young people. I also think it’s appalling that newly qualified nurses and doctors can’t get jobs when there is such a backlog.I think highly of and admire the staff from abroad , but if there is no work for our own newly qualified then something is very wrong. It takes years to qualify and costs our country for heaven’s sake.

Just this,! but polititians are only interested in a quick cheap fix

JaneJudge

LemonJam, could your friends daughter apply to an education placement? in a special school or pathways/foundation provision in a college? they are much more open minded about transitions.

All the NEET grads I know are people whose parents are well off enough to support them surely? Mine had to work when they left uni, whatever it was (a warehouse job usually) until they got a grad job. It's what we do in our family, we work - whether it was Russell or non Russell university degree.

Thanks for your concern JaneJudge- she is trying all avenues so fingers crossed.

fancythat

Disaffescted or disenchanted youth, whatever the words are, is also not good for society as a whole.
They can find things to do which are disruptive.

I dont know the answers.

I have no idea what things are like elsewhere, but a nearby supermarket to me has a robot brushing the floors.

My relative has a robot window cleaner so that’s a business that won’t be needed much longer.
AI is here and many jobs will be gone.
I do think raising the minimum wage for under 18s was a stupid idea. Who’s going to employ them now in preference to older workers.

Silvershadow

Also their role models are footballers and tik tok, Love Island. It’s the want it all now generation. And of course they can’t all have it now so despondency sets in. Some turn to drugs to cope.

There needs to be a focus on realism. Life isn’t all football and modelling or being celebrities.

This is sadly true.

Maremia

Haven't read all the Thread. Out just now. Has anyone mentioned how AI will 'steal' so many jobs?
Apologies if repeating a well worn issue.

Yes I have, but not generated much discussion yet. I listened to the three part The Rest is Politics podcast on the subject and was horrified by the long term implications for employment.

I feel desperate for the young people of today. It is so tough for them . It’s a very complex problem and I’m relieved that the Milburn report is being given a lot of attention. One thing I was talking with a friend about is that as the retirement age has increased, there is stagnation and people can’t progress. I know the country says it can’t afford the State Pension but something has to give for our youth. One solution would be for the 65- 67 year old could retire at 65 get the SP but volunteer their services to train and mentor the young people where businesses say they haven’t the time to employ and train inexperienced young people. I also think it’s appalling that newly qualified nurses and doctors can’t get jobs when there is such a backlog.I think highly of and admire the staff from abroad , but if there is no work for our own newly qualified then something is very wrong. It takes years to qualify and costs our country for heaven’s sake.

Haven't read all the Thread. Out just now. Has anyone mentioned how AI will 'steal' so many jobs?
Apologies if repeating a well worn issue.

LemonJam, could your friends daughter apply to an education placement? in a special school or pathways/foundation provision in a college? they are much more open minded about transitions.

All the NEET grads I know are people whose parents are well off enough to support them surely? Mine had to work when they left uni, whatever it was (a warehouse job usually) until they got a grad job. It's what we do in our family, we work - whether it was Russell or non Russell university degree.

I dont think many people are able to make a decent living from the above.
Could be wrong.

watermeadow

I have four teenaged grandchildren so very concerned about their futures in broken Britain. Two are talented artists. Well, the modern technology-obsessed world has no use for them. One wants to be an engineer but is so shy that he will never fight for a job. One aims to teach and will probably be driven out of her job by the awful kids and stress.

I disagree, I think many people appreciate arts and will pay for it in many forms, from children’s murals for nurseries and bedrooms to pet portrait.

I live next door to an artist, he’s self taught and now retired teaches small groups to landscape paint, outside in lovely local areas.

We must NEVER lose our love of the arts and literature.

My son is a singer in his own band and has had this band for approx 1 year, he also draws and designs their merch. It’s very early days and he is nowhere near self supporting but is registered as self employment and still living with us at home.

Silvershadow

On another note, in our area we have the NextDoor app and quite a few young ones who specify their ages are offering gardening, patio cleaning, painting and decorating, flatpack assembly just a few that’s offered. So some of them are doing something albeit off their own backs. They get work and reviews so then get more jobs. Most of them are aged 16 -20.

Oh we have that too, quite a useful app if you’re looking for workmen/women or specific services or shops etc

Silvershadow

Who would teach the skills required though? Teachers are qualified to teach for example maths, English, history, etc etc. none to my knowledge are qualified to teach the skills outlined above. In that case, who will do it?

Usually the teaching will be spread amongst teachers implementing various parts of the school's policy. Senior staff will be closely involved.
This is a bit of a heavy read, but it covers many items of the discussion here and outlines what will be expected and inspected in the new Ofsted framework.
pshe-association.org.uk/news/the-new-ofsted-framework-five-key-considerations-for-pshe/rshe-leads-and-school-leaders